AwAiTiNg
THE
]
,
AUVENT
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, October, November, December, 191
Thirteenth Sabbath Overflow Offering
December 30, 1972
Euro-Africa Division
With the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering overflow for the fourth
quarter of 1972, our newest division, Euro-Africa, has plans for two
projects. The first is to establish the work of the church in the south
of Angola, founding a new mission station in the region of the great
Cuenene River. This is a section of the country where we have no
work at the present time; so we are praying for your liberality.
The second project is to build a new hospital on the island of
Madagascar. Experience has taught us that our medical work can
give to the world both spiritual and physical healing. Because of
this unique characteristic it has been the hope of the Indian Ocean
Union Mission for many years to open medical work on the island
of Madagascar.
The president of the Malagasy Republic has endorsed this project
by his personal donation of 50,000 Malagasy francs. This shows
that the Malagasy people do not expect to receive everything from
outside and are anxious to do their part. Land has been purchased
on a beautiful mountain site overlooking the city of Andapa in the
northern part of Madagascar. The hospital, although simple in struc-
ture, will be an honor to the cause of God. Already several Adventist
doctors and nurses are ready to serve. All is in readiness awaiting
the offering overflow that will make this dream come true.
Lessons for the First Quarter of 1973
Sabbath School members who have not received an adult
Lesson Quarterly
for the first quarter of 1973 will be helped
by the following outline in studying the first two lessons.
The title of the series is "The Christian and Communication."
The title of the first lesson is "Channels of Communication."
The memory verse is Rom. 10:8-10.
The outline is as follows: (1) Our Lives—A Letter. 2 Cor.
3:2, 3. (2) Our Acts—God-Centered. 1 Cor. 10:31-33. (3) Our
Words—Persuading Power. Acts 13:42, 43. (4) Our Prayers
—In Tune With God. Rom. 8:26, 27. (5) Our Means—A
Source of Strength. 1 Tim. 6:17-19. (6) Total Witness. Phil.
4:9.
The title of the second lesson is "Avenues to the Soul."
The memory verse is Isa. 55:2, 3. The outline is as follows:
(1) The Ears. Ps. 78:1-3, 5. (2) The Eyes. Matt. 6:22, 23. (3)
The Body. Rom. 12:1, 2. (4) The Emotions. Deut. 5:26-29.
(5) The Reason. Deut. 4:39, 40. (6) The Whole Man. 1 Thess.
5:23, 24.
Litho in U.S.A.
AwaiUng the Advent
FOURTH QUARTER, 1972
It was the teaching that Jesus would soon come that bound together the
first Adventists under William Miller. The power of that doctrine motivated
the spiritual forebears of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to proclaim their
belief in the face of intense opposition and ridicule. It also motivated them
to a new way of life. Ellen White wrote that in her last meeting with her
childhood church she bore testimony that a new religious experience had come
to her "by the stirring truths concerning the personal appearing of Jesus."—
Life
Sketches,
page 46. The truth of the second advent motivated believers
in those early days to preach and to live the truth. Does it still have this same
power after 128 years?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church, as a body, believes in the soon coming
of Jesus. It is assumed that the individual members hold that belief, for to be
an Adventist and not believe in the advent is such an apparent contradiction
that those who reject it would surely find fellowship elsewhere. The second
advent, as a doctrine, is secure in the church. But does it produce the same
motivation that was seen in the pioneer days? If it does not, this is the fault
of those who hold it and not of the teaching itself. Each individual church
member needs to recapture the sense of urgency to prepare for the advent and
to do the Lord's work that the pioneers had.
The advent message was derived from the Scriptures. A recapture of the
fervor of the pioneers will come from the same source. The beliefs accepted
in past years tend to lose their brilliance in a believer's mind unless renewed
by fresh contact with the Word.
What signs does the Bible give that Jesus is coming soon? What do those
signs mean? Are they still relevant after 128 years of advent wear? What
attitudes should those who await the advent have toward life, their fellow-
men, their Redeemer, and the advent itself? These are questions that we
propose you investigate during the fourth quarter of 1972. This adult quar-
terly can provide direction for you in that study, but we hope that you will go
beyond it. We hope that you will relearn the old truths, discover some new
ones, make them your own, and recapture the fervor of 1844. If that should
happen on a large scale, we might see Jesus quicker than we think. "Even so,
come, Lord Jesus!"
3
1-A4QT.72
The Blessing of Daily Study
"Every day some portion of time should be appropri-
ated to the study of the lessons, not merely in learning to
mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not
comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very founda-
tion, and become familiar with what is brought out in
the lesson."—Counsels
on Sabbath School Work,
page 53.
My Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge
of the Scriptures, I pledge myself to the careful and
prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath School
lesson each day of the week.
(signed)
The regular Sabbath School senior division lessons and reg-
ular Sabbath School World Mission Report are available free
each month in Braille and 16
2
/
3
rpm records to blind and phys-
ically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint.
This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple
sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold
or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian
Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.
4
Lesson Titles for the Quarter
1.
The Christian's Hope
2.
God's Warnings
3.
Signs of Christ's Coming:
False Religion
4.
Signs of Christ's Coming:
Tribulation and the Gospel
5.
Signs of Christ's Coming:
In the Heavens
6.
Signs of Christ's Coming:
In the Earth
7.
The Nature of the Signs
8.
Ready or Not Ready?
9.
Watching or Not Watching?
10.
Faithful or Unfaithful?
11.
Delay of the Advent
12.
The Church Awaiting the Advent
13.
Beyond the Advent
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly (regular edition), No. 310, October-December, 1972. 35 cents a
single copy, $1.40 a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage.
Published in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350
Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94040. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain
View, California. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send
both old and new addresses.
Copyright 1972 by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Cover by Howard Larkin
Drawings by James Converse
THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE
LESSON 1
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13.
The moment to which the signs of the
times point is often spoken of as the end
of the world. But for the Christian the
primary event that the signs herald is the
coming of the Lord Himself in the clouds
of heaven. Certainly, civilization as we
know it will close with Jesus' coming, but
our hope is not in the end of the world. Our
hope is in Jesus Christ Himself, who is the
Saviour of all who put their trust in Him.
It is because the second advent is the
moment of the return of our Saviour that
we call it the blessed hope. It is because our
Lord Jesus Christ will come for His people
at the second advent that we can love the
moment of His fiery intervention in the
affairs of this world.
Jesus referred to the second advent as
the time when He would take His followers
to be with Him in His heavenly home. If
we love Christ, we will love His appearing
also. For the believer it will not be dooms-
day, but the fulfillment of the hope to see
Jesus Christ face to face and live in His
kingdom forever.
"The coming of the Lord has been in all
ages the hope of His true followers. The
Saviour's parting promise upon Olivet, that
He would come again, lighted up the future
for His disciples, filling their hearts with
joy and hope that sorrow could not quench
nor trials dim. Amid suffering and persecu-
tion, the 'appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ' was the 'blessed
hope.'
"—The Great Controversy,
page 302.
It is the purpose of this lesson to study,
not only an event, but Jesus Christ Him-
self at His advent. At His coming He will
stand in a number of different relation-
ships to His people. It is these offices of
Christ that form the outline for our study
this week.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Redeemer
Matt. 24:1,2
2.
The Restorer
Acts 3:20, 21
3.
The Life-giver
1 Thess. 4:16, 17
4.
The King
Rev. 19:11, 16
5.
The Rewarder
Rev. 22:12
6.
The Son of Man
Matt. 24:30
7
The Christian's Hope
LESSON I
Sunday
October 1
Part 1
What remarks of Jesus prompted the disciples' in-
THE REDEEMER quiry about signs?
Matt. 24:1, 2
"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple:
and his disciples came to him for to shew him the build-
ings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not
all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be
left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown
down."
"With the overthrow of Jerusalem the disciples associated
the events of Christ's personal coming in temporal glory to take
the throne of universal empire, to punish the impenitent Jews,
and to break from off the nation the Roman yoke. The Lord
had told them that He would come the second time. Hence at
the mention of judgments upon Jerusalem, their minds reverted
to that coming; and as they were gathered about the Saviour
upon the Mount of Olives, they asked: 'When shall these things
be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end
of the world?'
"—The Great Controversy,
page 25.
When Jesus completed His enumeration of the signs,
what did He say was their significance? Luke 21:28.
Where the disciples had been concerned about the end of
the world and the destruction of the temple, Jesus pointed out
to them that the signs He spoke of indicated the approach of
the moment of their redemption. Not that the temple would
be kept intact or that the world would not end, but the para-
mount meaning of the signs related to redemption.
THINK IT THROUGH
How is the second advent related to redemption?
"When the signs predicted begin to
come to pass, the waiting, watching
ones are bidden to look up and lift up
their heads and rejoice because their
redemption draweth nigh.
"When these things are dwelt upon
as they should be, scoffers will be de-
veloped to walk after their own lusts,
saying, 'Where is the promise of His
coming? for since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they were
from the beginning of the creation.' But
'when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon
them.' But ye, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should over-
take you as a thief.' Thank God, all will
not be rocked to sleep in the cradle of
carnal security. There will be faithful
ones who will discern the signs of the
times. While a large number professing
present truth will deny their faith by
their works, there will be some who
will endure unto the end."—"Testimo-
nies," Vol. 5, p. 10.
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"The Desire of Ages," pages 660, 661.
8
The Christian's Hope
LESSON 1
Monday
October 2
Part 2
What phrase did Peter use to describe the time when
THE RESTORER Jesus will return?
Acts 3:20, 21
"And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was
preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until
the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began."
At the fall of man humanity lost its God-given dominion
over the world. Gen. 1:26. Satan not only claimed man's do-
minion, but also usurped the place of the Creator and is referred
to by Paul as "the god of this world." 2 Cor. 4:4.
The dominion that Satan usurped is to be restored. This res-
titution has its beginning at the second advent, but is not com-
plete until the earth is renewed after the thousand years.
"The golden age—the restitution of all things:-1.
Restitu-
tion means the setting up again of that which has been thrown
down.. . . 2. In the universe there has been a great overturning.
The course of history seems to be a succession of failures—God
setting up, some other power casting down. And, apart from
revelation we could not tell what the end of all things would
be."—The Biblical Illustrator,
on Acts 3:21.
What is the initial step in this restitution? Rom. 8:23.
"Christ assured the angels that by His death He would
ransom many, and would destroy him who had the power of
death. He would recover the kingdom which man had lost by
transgression, and the redeemed were to inheriC,it with Him,
and dwell therein forever. Sin and sinners would be blotted
out, nevermore to disturb the peace of heaven' or earth. He
bade the angelic host to be in accord with the plan that His
Father had accepted, and rejoice that, through His death,
fallen man could be reconciled to
God."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 65.
THINK IT THROUGH
For the individual Christian what restitution must pre-
cede the restitution of the body, nature, and dominion?
"God created the earth to be the
abode of holy, happy beings. The
Lord 'formed the earth and made it; He
hath established it, He created it not
in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.'
Isaiah
45:18.
That purpose will be ful-
filled, when, renewed by the power of
God, and freed from sin and sorrow, it
shall become the eternal abode of the
redeemed. 'The righteous shall inherit
the land, and dwell therein forever.'
'And there shall be no more curse: but
the throne of God and of the Lamb shall
be in it; and His servants shall serve
Him.' Psalm 37:29; Revelation
22:3."—
"Patriarchs and Prophets," page 67.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"The Great Controversy," pages 674-678.
9
Part 3
THE LIFE-GIVER
1 Thess. 4:16, 17
Tuesday
October
3
What event takes place at the advent of Jesus Christ?
The Christian's Hope
LESSON 1
THINK IT THROUGH
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up to-
gether with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
"We have a living, risen Saviour. He burst the fetters of the
tomb after He had lain there three days, and in triumph He
proclaimed over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, 'I am the resur-
rection and the life.' And He is coming. Are we getting ready
for Him? Are we ready so that if we shall fall asleep, we can
do so with hope in Jesus Christ? Are you laboring for the sal-
vation of your brothers and sisters? The Life-giver is soon to
come. The Life-giver is coming to break the fetters of the
tomb. He is to bring forth the captives and proclaim, 'I am
the resurrection and the life.' There stands the risen host. The
last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts
they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they pro-
claim, '0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy
victory ?' The pangs of death were the last things they felt.
'0 death, where is thy sting?' The last thing they acknowledged
was the pangs of death. When they awake the pain is all gone."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6,
p. 1093.
1:0- What unique power does Jesus possess? John 5:25-29.
The fact that Jesus has life in Himself is really the basis of
all redemption. He has the capacity to give this life to His
people. John 17:2. If He were not self-living and able to give
life to the dead, redemption through Him would have been
an impossibility and we would be "of all men most miserable."
1 Cor. 15:19.
Besides giving life to the dead what is the importance
of Jesus' self-living existence?
"The voice that cried from the cross,
'It is finished,' was heard among the
dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers,
and summoned the sleepers to arise.
Thus will it be when the voice of Christ
shall be heard from heaven. That voice
will penetrate the graves and unbar the
tombs, and the dead in Christ shall
arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a
few graves were opened, but at His
second coming all the precious dead
shall hear His voice, and shall come
forth to glorious, immortal life. The
same power that raised Christ from the
dead will raise His church, and glorify
it with Him, above all principalities,
above all powers, above every name
that is named, not only in this world,
but also in the world to come."—"The
Desire of Ages," page 787.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 644-646.
10
The Christian's Hope
LESSON 1
Wednesday
October 4
Part 4
In the symbolic presentation of Christ's coming in
THE KING Revelation 19 what titles are ascribed to Him?
Rev. 19:11, 16
THINK IT THROUGH
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." "And
he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
"When Christ shall come to the earth again, not as a prisoner
surrounded by a rabble will men see Him. They will see Him
then as heaven's King. Christ will come in His own glory, in
the glory of His Father, and the glory of the holy angels. Ten
thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of
angels, the beautiful and triumphant sons of God, possessing
surpassing loveliness and glory, will escort Him on His way.
Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before
Him shall be gathered all nations. Then every eye shall see
Him, and they also that pierced Him. In the place of a crown
of thorns, He will wear a crown of glory,—a crown within a
crown. In place of that old purple kingly robe, He will be
clothed in raiment of whitest white, 'so as no fuller on earth
can white them.' Mark 9:3. And on His vesture and on His
thigh a name will be written, `King of kings, and Lord of
lords.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 739.
.
What domain does Jesus take over at His advent?
Rev. 11:15.
The expression "King of kings" implies that Jesus is King
over other kings. He rules those who rule. "The title `Lord of
lords, and King of kings' is used in Scripture of Christ as He
returns to earth to vanquish the hosts of evil and to deliver
His loyal people."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Rev. 17:14.
In what sense can Christ properly be called a king?
In what sense can He never be called a king?
"With anthems of celestial melody
the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered
throng, attend Him on His way. The
firmament seems filled with radiant
forms—'ten thousand times ten thou-
sand, and thousands of thousands.' No
human pen can portray the scene; no
mortal mind is adequate to conceive its
splendor. 'His glory covered the heav-
ens, and the earth was full of His
praise. And His brightness was as the
light.' Habakkuk 3:3, 4. As the living
cloud comes still nearer, every eye be-
holds the Prince of life. No crown of
thorns now mars that sacred head; but
a diadem of glory rests on His holy
brow. His countenance outshines the
dazzling brightness of the noonday sun.
'And He hath on His vesture and on His
thigh a name written, King of kings,
and Lord of lords.' "—"The Great Con-
troversy," page 641.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 641-643.
11
The Christian's Hope
LESSON 1
Thursday
October 5
Part 5 60- At the coming of Jesus what does He do for every
THE REWARDER person?
Rev. 22:12
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
"And as the redeemed shall ascend to heaven, the gates of
the city of God will swing back, and those who have kept the
truth will enter in. A voice, richer than any music that ever
fell on mortal ear, will be heard saying, 'Come, ye blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world.' Then the righteous will receive their
reward. Their lives will run parallel with the life of Jehovah.
They will cast their crowns at the Redeemer's feet, touch the
golden harps, and fill all heaven with rich
music."—Counsels
on Stewardship,
page 350.
What is the reward of the righteous? Rev. 22:14. Of
the wicked? Rev. 22:15.
The expression "according as his work shall be" in the
context of Revelation 22 refers to just two kinds of works, good
or evil, and not to a gradation of rewards.
The reward is "according to" and not "because of" the works
that a person has done. At the time of Jesus' coming there
will be no sinful acts on record for the righteous, for their sins
have been forgiven and blotted out. Only the record of righ-
teous works remains. The record of the evil deeds of the lost
remains. Thus humanity is divided into two clean-cut groups,
each identified by their works, and reward comes in inclusion
or exclusion from the city. Thus, "All will 'be justified by their
faith and judged by their
works."—Testimonies,
Vol. 4, p. 386.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does sanctification relate to the reward of the
redeemed?
"None who have had the light of
truth will enter the city of God as com-
mandment breakers. His law lies at the
foundation of His government in earth
and in heaven. If they have knowingly
trampled upon and despised His law
on the earth, they will not be taken to
heaven to do the same work there;
there is no change of character when
Christ comes. The character building is
to go on during the hours of probation.
Day by day their actions are registered
in the books of heaven, and they will,
in the great day of God, be rewarded
as their works have been. It will then
be seen who receives the blessing.
'Blessed are they that do his command-
ments, that they may have right to the
tree of life, and may enter in through
the gates into the city.'"—Ellen G.
White Comments, "SDA Bible Commen-
tary," Vol. 7, p. 990.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 665-668, 673.
12
The Christian's Hope
LESSON 1
Friday
October 6
Part 6
By what term does Jesus refer to Himself in relation
THE SON OF MAN to His return to earth?
Matt. 24:30
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in
heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,
and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds
of heaven with power and great glory."
Throughout the Gospels Jesus refers to Himself as the Son
of man, including the references to His advent. The One whose
coming we anticipate is not a being foreign to our world and
unfamiliar to us; but He is one of us, returning to gather His
brothers and sisters together.
"Those who share Christ's suffering and reproach now will
share His glory hereafter. He 'is not ashamed to call them
brethren.' His angels minister to them. His second appearing
will be as the Son of man, thus even in His glory identifying
Himself with
humanity."—Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 230.
Speaking before Caiaphas, what position did Jesus
say that He, the Son of man, would one day occupy?
Matt. 26:64.
"As a man Christ ascended to heaven. As a man He is the
substitute and surety for humanity. As a man He liveth to
make intercession for us. He is preparing a place for all who
love Him. As a man He will come again with power and glory,
to receive His children."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1126.
THINK IT THROUGH
What significance does the name "Son of man" hold
in relation to the second advent?
"In taking
our nature, the Saviour
hand upon both. He who is 'holy, harm-
has bound Himself to humanity by a tie
less, undefiled, separate from sinners,'
that is never to be broken. Through the
is not ashamed to call us brethren. Heb.
eternal ages He is linked with us. . . .
7:26; 2:11. In
Christ the family of
It is the 'Son of man' who shares the earth and the family of heaven are
throne of the universe. It is the 'Son of
bound together. Christ glorified is our
man' whose name shall be called, 'Won-
brother. Heaven is enshrined in human-
derful, Counselor, The mighty God, The
ity, and humanity is enfolded in the
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.'
bosom of Infinite Love."—"The Desire
Isa. 9:6. The I AM is the Daysman be-
of Ages," pages 25, 26.
tween God and humanity, laying His
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Desire of Ages," pages 210, 211.
13
LESSON 2
October 8-14
GOD'S WARNINGS
2
"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass,
ye might believe." John 14:29.
This verse was spoken by Jesus in refer-
ence to His ascension and the descent of
the Spirit. Whenever the future is revealed
to men, it has the same purpose—to lead
them to believe. In the instance cited here
the event was to provide evidence on which
to base belief. But there will not always be
an opportunity following the event to exer-
cise belief. The fulfillment of warnings
given in the past must provide the evidence
for belief in God's warnings of the coming
of Jesus; for when He returns, the moment
for change of heart has already passed. This
week's lesson on "God's Warnings" is not
meant to be just another look at familiar
stories. It is meant to stir our souls to a
new and fervent belief in God's final inter-
vention in the world.
"The history of nations speaks to us
today. To every nation and to every in-
dividual God has assigned a place in His
great plan. Today men and nations are
being tested by the plummet in the hand
of Him who makes no mistake. All are by
14
their own choice deciding their destiny,
and God is overruling all for the accom-
plishment of His purposes."—Prophets
and
Kings,.page 536.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
God Communicates With Man
Amos 3:6, 7
2.
A City Responds to God's
Communication
Jonah 3:4, 5, 10
3.
A Nation Fails to Respond to
God's Communication
Dan. 5:22, 23
4.
The Greatness of the Lord
Isa. 40:15, 17
5.
God and the Future
Dan. 2:27, 28, 44
6.
Warnings for Today
2 Peter 3:10
God's Warnings
LESSON 2
Part 1
GOD
COMMUNICATES
WITH MAN
Amos 3:6, 7
THINK IT THROUGH
Sunday
October
8
).- By what means did God communicate His warnings
of judgment on Israel?
"Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people
not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord
hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but
he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
"'The secret things,' says Moses, 'belong unto the Lord our
God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and
to our children forever;' and the Lord declares by the prophet
Amos, that He 'will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret
unto His servants the prophets.' Deuteronomy 29:29; Amos
3:7. The students of God's word may, then, confidently expect
to find the most stupendous event to take place in human his-
tory clearly pointed out in the Scriptures of truth."—The
Great Controversy,
page 324.
"All the evils threatened upon Israel will come, but not
without the Lord's first warning the people through the proph-
ets. . . . The mercy of God is shown by the fact that He does
not bring His judgments upon men until He first warns them
through His prophets. He predicts the evil to come in the hope
that He may not be forced to inflict it. . . .
"In spite of the fact that Israel had 'commanded the
prophets, saying, Prophesy not' . . . , God proclaims that He
will continue to reveal His will to His chosen messengers."
—SDA Bible Commentary,
on Amos 3:7.
Ita. How did God seek to keep the people of Judah back
from the dangerous path they were treading? 2 Chron.
36:15.
"In the closing years of Judah's apostasy the exhortations
of the prophets were seemingly of but little avail; and as the
armies of the Chaldeans came for the third and last time to
besiege Jerusalem, hope fled from every heart. Jeremiah pre-
dicted utter ruin; and it was because of his insistence on sur-
render that he had finally been thrown into
prison."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 466.
What specific guidance can we find for today in the
experiences of Israel's and Judah's rejection of prophetic
warnings?
"In the purposes of God, His plans
are revealed to His people so that they
might know how to co-operate with
them. Long ago Christians would have
given up in despair had it not been for
the assurance, 'I will come again.' . . .
There were times when the most cou-
rageous hearts would have failed had
it not been for the repeated assurances
of the Lord's purpose to bring deliver-
ance."—T. H. Jemison, "A Prophet
Among You," page 43.
FOR FURTHER
STUDY: "Prophets and Kings," pages 296-300.
15
Part 2
A CITY RESPONDS
TO GOD'S
COMMUNICATION
Jonah 3:4, 5, 10
THINK IT THROUGH
Monday
October
9
to- What was the result of the Ninevites' acceptance of
God's warning?
"Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey,
and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall
be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God,
and proclaimed a fast." "And God saw their works, that
they turned from their evil way; and God repented of
the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them;
and he did it not."
"As king and nobles, with the common people, the high and
the low, 'repented at the preaching of Jonas' (Matthew 12:41)
and united in crying to the God of heaven, His mercy was
granted them. He 'saw their works, that they turned from their
evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that
he would do unto them; and he did it not.' Jonah 3:10. Their
doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted and honored
throughout the heathen world, and His law was revered. Not
until many years later was Nineveh to fall a prey to the sur-
rounding nations through forgetfulness of God and through
boastful
pride."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 270, 271.
P.-
What is the principle of conditional prophecy of which
Nineveh's experience is an example? Jer. 18:7-10.
"God changes his mind as man changes his conduct. When
man repents of his wickedness and does that which is right in
God's sight, the ground of the divine judgment ceases to exist.
Always possible is the escape to the Everlasting Mercy. 'In the
same place in which you find God's omnipotence you will find
his humility.' [Rabbi Johanan.]"—The
Interpreter's Bible,
on
Jonah
3:10.
What truth does the story of Nineveh's repentance
teach about the coming of Jesus?
God's Warnings
LESSON 2
"As the preaching of Jonah was a
sign to the Ninevites, so Christ's preach-
ing was a sign to His generation. But
what a contrast in the reception of the
word! Yet in the face of indifference
and scorn the Saviour labored on and
on, until He had accomplished His mis-
sion.
"The lesson is for God's messengers
today, when the cities of the nations
are as verily in need of a knowledge
of the attributes and purposes of the
true God as were the Ninevites of old."
—"Prophets and Kings," page 274.
"The storm of God's wrath is gather-
ing; and those only will stand who
respond to the invitations of mercy, as
did the inhabitants of Nineveh under
the preaching of Jonah, and become
sanctified through obedience to the
laws of the divine Ruler. The righteous
alone shall be hid with Christ in God
till the desolation be overpast."—
"Ibid.," p. 278.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Prophets and Kings," pages 273-278.
16
God's Warnings
LESSON 2
Tuesday
October 10
Part 3
What was Belshazzar's fatal mistake?
A NATION FAILS
TO RESPOND
Dan. 5:22, 23
THINK IT THROUGH
"And thou his son, 0 Belshazzar, hast not humbled
thine heart, though thou knewest all this; but hast lifted
up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have
brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou,
and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk
wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver,
and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see
not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy
breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not
glorified."
"Through the folly and weakness of Belshazzar, the grand-
son of Nebuchadnezzar, proud Babylon was soon to fall. . .
He had known of his grandfather's banishment, by the decree
of God, from the society of men; and he was familiar with
Nebuchadnezzar's conversion and miraculous restoration. But
Belshazzar allowed the love of pleasure and self-glorification to
efface the lessons that he should never have forgotten. He
wasted the opportunities graciously granted him, and neglected
to use the means within his reach for becoming more fully
acquainted with truth. That which Nebuchadnezzar had finally
gained at the cost of untold suffering and humiliation, Bel-
shazzar passed by with indifference."—Prophets
and Kings,
pages
522, 523.
How did God communicate the sentence on Belshazzar
and Babylon? Dan. 5:24-28.
"In that last night of mad folly, Belshazzar and his lords
had filled up the measure of their guilt and the guilt of the
Chaldean kingdom. No longer could God's restraining hand
ward off the impending
evil."—Prophets and Kings,
page 530.
What is the significance of the expression "weighed
in the balances"?
"You, too, have failed
in
the great
purpose of life if you have not made it
your business to glorify God. In the
opinion of the world your life may have
been a success; you may have risen
from poverty to wealth, or have gained
a succession of social victories, yet in
the judgment of Heaven your life has
been a dismal failure, if the God in
whose hand thy breath is thou host not
glorified. Are you perplexed as to the
first step in this new and nobler life?
Then let me point you to the cross of
Christ. He who rejects the salvation
which God at infinite cost has provided
thereby dishonours God. Let God this
day have the glory of saving thee, and
seek, through fellomsftip with Jesus
Christ,
strengthnceforth to glorify
God, in whose hand thy breath is, and
whose are all thy ways."—"The Biblical
Illustrator," on Daniel 5:23, page 246.
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 535-538.
17
Part 4
THE GREATNESS
OF THE LORD
Isa. 40:15, 17
El
Wednesday
October 11
"Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and
are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he
taketh up the isles as a very little thing." "All nations
before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him
less than nothing, and vanity."
God's Warnings
LESSON 2
The importance that one attaches to a message from another
is largely determined by how he views the person who sends
the message. If the message sender is regarded as insignificant,
the message will probably be regarded as insignificant also.
Only as God's greatness is understood will the importance of
His communication to men be appreciated.
"Why is so much attention given to human agencies, while
there is so little reaching up of the mind to the eternal God?
Why are those who claim to be children of the heavenly King
so absorbed in the things of this world? Let the Lord be ex-
alted. Let the word of the Lord be magnified. Let human beings
be placed low, and let the Lord be exalted. Remember that
earthly kingdoms, nations, monarchs, statesmen, counselors,
great armies, and all worldly magnificence and glory are as
the dust of the
balance."—Fundamentals of Christian Educa-
tion,
page 481.
11).-
As he compared the greatness of God's visible crea-
tion with the smallness of man, what question did David
ask? Ps. 8:3, 4.
"The world, filled with sport and pleasure-loving, is always
thirsting for some new interest. And how little time and
thought are given to the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
God calls upon His creatures to turn their attention from the
confusion and perplexity around them, and admire His handi-
work. Thejeavenly bodies are worthy of contemplation. God
has made them fie the benefit of man, and
a
-
s
we study His
works, angels of God will be by our side to enlighten our
minds."—Ellen G. White,
Sons and Daughters of God,
page
110.
THINK IT THROUGH
If men and nations are so insignificant, how can you
account for the divine self-sacrifice for man's redemption?
"But how is that law disregarded!
Behold the world today in open rebel-
lion against God. This is in truth a
froward generation, filled with ingrati-
tude, formalism, insincerity, pride, and
apostasy. Men neglect the Bible and
hate truth. Jesus sees His law rejected,
His love despised, His ambassadors
treated with indifference. He has
spoken by His mercies, but these have
been unacknowledged; He has spoken
by warnings, but these have been un-
heeded. The temple courts of the hu-
man soul have been turned into places
of unholy traffic. Selfishness, envy,
pride, malice—all are cherished."—
"Prophets and Kings," page 185.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Ministry of Healing," pages 415-418.
18
God's Warnings
LESSON 2
Part 5
GOD AND THE
FUTURE
Dan. 2:27, 28, 44
Thursday
October 12
How far into the future were events revealed to
Nebuchadnezzar?
"The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the
wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the sooth-
sayers, shew unto the king; but there is a God in heaven
that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king
Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." "And
in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set
up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the
kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall
break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it
shall stand for ever."
"Daniel declared plainly that the wise men, the astrologers,
the soothsayers, and the magicians could not make known this
secret. It was beyond their power. Therefore the king should
not be angry with them, nor put confidence in their vain super-
stitions. The prophet proceeded to make known the true God,
who rules in heaven, and is the only revealer of secrets."—
Uriah Smith,
Daniel and the Revelation
(1944 ed.), page 37.
"In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the
rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and
prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree,
to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the
word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, be-
hind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of
human interests and power and passions, the agencies of the
all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels
of His own
will."—Education,
page 173.
13.-
What unique power belongs to God? Isa. 41:21-23;
44:7, 8.
"God had a knowledge of the events of the future, even
before the creation of the world. He did not make His purposes
to fit circumstances, but He allowed matters to develop and
work out. He did not work to bring about a certain condition
of things, but He knew that such a condition would exist."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6,
p. 1082.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is God's purpose in predictive prophecy?
"Nebuchadnezzar felt that he could made a deep impression on the sover-
accept this interpretation as a divine
eign's mind, and in humility and awe
revelation; for to Daniel had been re-
he fell upon his face, and wor-
vealed every detail of the dream. The shipped.'"—Ellen G. White Comments,
solemn truths conveyed by the inter-
"SDA Bible Commentary," Vol. 4, p.
pretation of this vision of the night
1169.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Education," pages 173-175.
19
2—A4QT.72
Part 6
WARNINGS FOR
TODAY
2 Peter 3:10
Friday
October 13
What events will take place at "the day of the Lord"?
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent
heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall
be burned up."
"The hand of Omnipotence is at no loss for ways and means
to accomplish His purposes. He could reach into the bowels of
the earth and call forth His weapons, waters there concealed,
to aid in the destruction of the corrupt inhabitants of the old
world....
"Water will never destroy the earth again, but the weapons
of God are concealed in the bowels of the earth, which He
will draw forth to unite with the fire from heaven to accom-
plish His purpose in the destruction of all those who would
not receive the message of warning and purify their souls in
obeying the truth and being obedient to the laws of God."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7,
p. 946.
Cs What is implied as that which alone will survive the
world's destruction? 2 Peter 3:11.
God's Warnings
LESSON 2
"Many who profess to be looking for the speedy coming
of Christ, are becoming conformed to this world, and seek more
earnestly for the applause of those around them, than the
approbation of God....
"Many of these professed Christians dress, talk and act like
the world, and the only thing by which they may be known,
is their profession. Though they profess to be looking for
Christ, their conversation is not in heaven, but on worldly
things."—Ellen G. White,
Sons and Daughters of God,
page 352.
THINK IT THROUGH
In what sense should we fear as we read of God's
warnings?
"When the flood of waters was at
its height upon the earth, it had the ap-
pearance of a boundless lake of water.
When God finally purifies the earth, it
will appear like a boundless lake of
fire. As God preserved the ark amid
the commotions of the Flood, because
it contained eight righteous persons,
He will preserve the New Jerusalem,
containing the faithful of all ages, from
righteous Abel down to the last saint
which lived. Although the whole earth,
with the exception of that portion
where the city rests, will be wrapped
in a sea of liquid fire, yet the city is
preserved as was the ark, by a miracle
of Almighty power. It stands unharmed
amid the devouring elements."—Ellen
G. White Comments, "SDA Bible Com-
mentary," Vol. 7, p. 986.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 9, pp.
11-13.
20
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LESSON 3
October 15-21
SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING: FALSE RELIGION
3
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great
signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very
elect." Matt. 24:24.
In response to the disciples' request for a
sign of His coming (Matt. 24:3) Jesus first
presented the warning about false christs.
Most of the signs that Jesus presented He
mentioned only once. This one, along with
one other, He gave twice. The importance
that Jesus attached to this sign is indicated
by its position and repetition.
If you are to meet a person at the station
or airport, it is important that you meet
the person you are expecting, and not some-
one else. If, in relation to the coming of
Jesus, we were to meet and accept an im-
postor, then our hope in the advent would
be in vain.
We must meet Jesus, and not an im-
personator. The signs Jesus gave are to
assure that we prepare for and meet the
true Christ, and not a deceiver; and the
efforts at deception themselves constitute a
sign of the advent.
This lesson deals with Satan's efforts to
conquer truth by deception.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Impostors
Matt. 24:4, 5, 11
2.
Miracles
Matt. 24:24
3.
Spiritism
2 Thess. 2:9
4.
The First Deception
Gen. 3:4; 2:17
5.
Illustration of Satan's Deception
1 Sam. 28:7
6.
How to Reject Deception
Eph. 6:10, 14-17
21
Part 1
IMPOSTORS
Matt. 24:4, 5, 11
Sunday
October 15
Is What did Jesus say would cause many to be deceived?
Signs of Christ's Coming: False Religion
LESSON 3
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed
that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my
name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive
many."
This statement of Jesus was directed primarily to the time
leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and secondarily to
the time leading to the second advent. The signs for these two
events are blended in verses 4-20. Beginning in verse 21 the
prophecy relates specifically to Christ's return. See
The Desire
of Ages,
page 630, last two paragraphs.
Is The second mention of false christs and prophets fol-
lows what prophecy? Matt. 24:21-24. What does this
indicate?
"Many false messiahs will appear, claiming to work miracles,
and declaring that the time of the deliverance of the Jewish
nation has come. These will mislead many. Christ's words were
fulfilled. Between His death and the siege of Jerusalem many
false messiahs appeared. But this warning was given also to
those who live in this age of the world. The same deceptions
practiced prior to the destruction of Jerusalem have been
practiced through the ages, and will be practiced again."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 628.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the basic purpose of deception?
"This sign is given as a sign of the
second advent. Even now false christs
and false prophets are showing signs
and wonders to seduce His disciples.
Do we not hear the cry, 'Behold, He is
in the desert'? Have not thousands
gone forth into the desert, hoping to
find Christ? And from thousands of
gatherings where men profess to hold
communion with departed spirits is not
the call now heard, 'Behold, He is in
the secret chambers'? This is the very
claim that spiritism puts forth. But what
says Christ? 'Believe it not. For as the
lightning cometh out of the east, and
shineth even unto the west; so shall
also the coming of the Son of man be.'"
—"The Desire of Ages," page 631.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 523, 524.
22
Signs of Christ's Coming: False Religion
LESSON 3
Monday
October 16
Part 2 10- How will false christs and false prophets seek to sub-
MIRACLES stantiate their deceptions?
Matt. 24:24
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that,
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
"Satan has come down in these last days to work with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. His
satanic majesty works miracles in the sight of false prophets,
in the sight of men, claiming that he is indeed Christ Himself.
Satan gives his power to those who are aiding him in his
deceptions; therefore those who claim to have the great power
of God can only be discerned by the great detector, the law
of Jehovah. The Lord tells us if it were possible they would
deceive the very elect. The sheep's clothing seems so real, so
genuine, that the wolf can be discerned only as we go to
God's great moral standard and there find that they are trans-
gressors of the law of Jehovah."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6, p. 1106.
0- What power is presented in Revelation as also per-
forming miracles to support deceit? Rev. 13:11, 13, 14.
"No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived
by the miracles which Satan's agents have power to do, not
which they pretend to do.
"The prince of darkness, who has so long bent the powers
of his mastermind to the work of deception, skillfully adapts
his temptations to men of all classes and conditions. . . .
"The mighty being who could take the world's Redeemer
to an exceedingly high mountain and bring before Him all the
kingdoms of the earth and the glory of them, will present his
temptations to men in a manner to pervert the senses of all
who are not shielded by divine power."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
pages 553, 554.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does a miracle prove? See "Selected Messages,"
Bk. 2, pp. 52, 54.
"The time is coming when Satan will
work miracles right in your sight, claim-
ing that he is Christ; and if your feet
are not firmly established upon the
truth of God, then you will be led away
from your foundation. The only safety
for you is to search for the truth as for
hid treasures. Dig for the truth as you
would for treasures in the earth, and
present the word of God, the Bible,
before your Heavenly Father, and say,
Enlighten me; teach me what is truth.
. . . You should store the mind with
the wcir
d
-
of..God; for you maybe sep-
arated, and placed where you will not
have the privilege of meeting with the
children of God."—Ellen G. White, "Re-
view and Herald," Apr. 3, 1888.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 528, 529.
23
Part 3
SPIRITISM
2 Thess. 2:9
THINK IT THROUGH
Tuesday
October 17
10.
What means of deception will be used by a power
allied with Satan?
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of
Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."
"Says Christ, 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' If those
through whom cures are performed, are disposed, on account
of these manifestations, to excuse their neglect of the law of
God and continue in disobedience, though they have power to
any and every extent, it does not follow that they have the
great power of God. On the contrary, it is the miracle-working
power of the great deceiver. He is a transgressor of the moral
law, and employs every device that he can master to blind
men to its true character. We are warned that in the last days
he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will con-
tinue these wonders until the close of probation, that he may
point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light and not
of darkness."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Com-
mentary,
Vol. 7, p. 911.
What is the source of power behind the miracle work-
ing that culminates in Armageddon? Rev. 16:14.
"Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be
revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-
working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the
kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in
deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last
struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies,
rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise
pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and
worship which belong to the world's Redeemer. They will
perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have
revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the
Scriptures."—The
Great Controversy,
page 624.
Why will the elect not be deceived by Satan's delu-
sions?
Signs of Christ's Coming: False Religion
LESSON 3
"Now the great deceiver will make
it appear that Christ has come. In dif-
ferent parts of the earth, Satan will
manifest himself among men as a ma-
jestic being of dazzling brightness, re-
sembling the description of the Son of
God given by John in the Revelation.
the air: 'Christ has come! Christ has
come!' The people prostrate themselves
in adoration before him, while he lifts
up his hands and pronounces a bless-
ing upon them. . . . This is the strong,
almost overmastering delusion."—"The
Great Controversy," page 624.
. .. The shout of triumph rings out upon
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"The Great Controversy," pages 624-626.
24
Signs of Christ's Coming: False Religion
LESSON 3
Part 4
THE FIRST
DECEPTION
Gen. 3:4; 2:17
Wednesday
October 18
What was earth's first deception? How do you know
it was a deception?
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not
surely die."
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest
thou shalt surely die."
"Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive
the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assur-
ance given to Eve in Eden: `Ye shall not surely die.' In the
day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye
shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.' . . . Little by little
he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the
development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full
accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the
last remnant of
time."—The Great Controversy,
page 561.
Contrast the deceptive promise of the serpent and the
results of believing it. Gen. 3:4, 5, 19.
"The only one who promised Adam life in disobedience was
the great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent to Eve
in Eden—We shall not surely die'—was the first sermon ever
preached upon the immortality of the soul. Yet this declaration,
resting solely upon the authority of Satan, is echoed from the
pulpits of Christendom and is received by the majority of
mankind as readily as it was received by our first parents.
The divine sentence, 'The soul that sinneth, it shall die' (Ezekiel
18:20), is made to mean: The soul that sinneth, it shall not
die, but live eternally. We cannot but wonder at the strange
infatuation which renders men so credulous concerning the
words of Satan and so unbelieving in regard to the words of
God."—The Great Controversy,
page 533.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is Satan eager to deceive people?
"Eve really believed the words of
Satan, but her belief did not save her
from the penalty of sin. She disbelieved
the words of God, and this was what
led to her fall. In the judgment men
will not be condemned because they
conscientiously believed a lie, but be-
cause they did not believe the truth,
because they neglected the opportunity
of learning what is truth. Notwithstand-
ing the sophistry of Satan to the con-
trary, it is always disastrous to disobey
God. We must set our hearts to know
what is truth. All the lessons which
God has caused to be placed on record
in His word are for our warning and
instruction. They are given to save us
from deception. Their neglect will result
in ruin to ourselves. Whatever contra-
dicts God's word, we may be sure pro-
ceeds from Satan."—"Patriarchs and
Prophets," page 55.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The
Great Controversy," pages 531-534.
25
Part 5
ILLUSTRATION
OF SATAN'S
DECEPTION
1 Sam. 28:7
THINK IT THROUGH
Thursday
October
/9
ts-
To whom did Saul turn in a time of emergency?
"Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman
that hath a familiar spirit, that I go to her, and enquire
of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a
woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor."
"When Saul asked the medium to describe what she saw,
she replied, 'An old man cometh up; and he is covered with
a mantle.' But
Saul actually saw nothing.
The narrative de-
clares 'Saul perceived' (that is, believed with the mind) that
what this abandoned woman saw was Samuel. We do not
doubt that she
saw
something, but it certainly was not Samuel.
Is it likely that Samuel, the prophet of God and leader of the
nation, the man who during life vigorously condemned witch-
craft, would, even if such a thing were possible, come in answer
to the demands of a witch during her incantations at night?
Such a thing is unthinkable.
"The whole episode was plainly the work of evil angels. It is
evident that Saul received neither comfort nor assurance. The
next day this poor deceived man took his own life. One can
never contemplate that massive form bending over the upturned
sword of suicide without realizing the awful price he paid for
his willful disobedience. When he turned aside from the living
God and sought the counsel of mediums he was fighting against
God."—R. A. Anderson,
Secrets of the Spirit World,
pages 59,
60.
What was the result of Saul's spiritistic inquiry?
1 Chron. 10:13.
"By consulting that spirit of darkness Saul had destroyed
himself. . . . Separated from the Source of strength, he could
not lead the minds of Israel to look to God as their helper.
Thus the prediction of evil would work its own accomplish-
ment."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 681.
Of what relevancy today is the ancient story of Saul
and the medium?
Signs of Christ's Coming: False Religion
LESSON 3
"Modern spiritualism, resting upon
the same foundation, is but a revival
in a new form of the witchcraft and
demon worship that God condemned
and prohibited of old. It is foretold in
the Scriptures, which declare that 'in
the latter times some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spir-
its, and doctrines of devils.' 1 Timothy
4:1. Paul, in his second letter to the
Thessalonians, points to the special
working of Satan in spiritualism as an
event to take place immediately before
the second advent of Christ. . . . He
declares that it is 'after the working
of Satan with all power and signs and
lying wonders.' 2 Thessalonians 2:9."
—"Patriarchs and Prophets" page 686.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 683-687.
26
Signs of Christ's Coining: False Religion
LESSON 3
Friday
October 20
Part 6
What specific provisions has God made to enable the
HOW TO REJECT Christian to withstand Satan's deceptions?
DECEPTION
Eph. 6:10, 14-17
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of his might." "Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate
of righteousness; and your feet shod with the prepara-
tion of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salva-
tion, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God."
Each of the six parts of the Christian life, that Paul illus-
trates as pieces of armor, is related directly to the Christian's
mind. And the idea of deception assumes intelligence, for there
can be no deception without a mind to deceive. The mind of
every living human being will eventually either be committed
to truth or deceived. The only protection against the decep-
tions of Satan, now or future, is in truth, righteousness, the
gospel, faith, salvation, and the Spirit working through the
Word.
What did Jesus point to as protection against decep-
tion? Matt. 24:24, 25.
Jesus foretold the general nature of the deceptions that would
confront the world before His advent. Without revelation the
world would be helplessly deceived. With revelation the world's
people will have opportunity to choose between believing the
truth and believing a lie.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is there any other source of protection against the
deceptions of Satan than the Scriptures? Why?
"In order to endure the trial before
them, they must understand the will of
God as revealed in His word; they can
honor Him only as they have a right
conception of His character, govern-
ment, and purposes, and act in accord-
ance with them. None but those who
have forlifiec1 the mind with the truths
of the Bible will stand through the last
great conflict. To every soul will come
the searching test: Shall I obey God
rather than men? The decisive hour is
even now at hand. Are our feet planted
on the rock of God's immutable word?
Are we prepared to stand firm in de-
fense of the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus?"—"The Great Con-
troversy," pages 593, 594.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 593-602.
27
LESSON 4
October
22-28
SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING:
TRIBULATION AND THE GOSPEL
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But
evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being de-
ceived." 2 Tim. 3:12, 13.
In last week's lesson we noted Christ's
warning that deception in religion would be
practiced until His coming. The other sign
that Jesus stated twice was persecution.
(Matt. 24:9, 10, and 21, 22.) Thus decep-
tion and persecution were given more em-
phasis by Jesus than any other signs in
Matthew 24. While last week we studied
Satan's use of deceit to prevent prepara-
tion for the advent, this week we will first
note his use of violence for the same pur-
pose. Jesus noted deceit and persecution to
be so certain a strategy of Satan that they
actually constituted signs of Jesus' return.
In Matthew 24 these two devilish phe-
nomena are presented together. (Vs. 9-11
and 21-24.) They belong together. The
devil is both a liar and a murderer, and he
uses both of his traits against the waiting
church of Jesus Christ. By contrast Jesus
Christ is the True Witness and the Lord of
life.
As the world's use of deception and vio-
lence to gain adherents to its principles is
a sign of Jesus' return, so the preaching of
the gospel in all the world is a sign. This is
28
the Christian counterpart of deception and
persecution—the truth made plain by wit-
ness. In Matt. 24:9-14 Jesus presents the
methods of the world and of the church
which each uses to gain the allegiance of
earth's population in the days preceding
Jesus' return. Both the method of the world
and the method of the church will be stud-
ied this week as signs of Jesus' advent.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Tribulation for Christ's Name
Matt. 24:9, 10
2.
The Great Tribulation
Matt. 24:21
3.
Future Tribulation
Rev. 13:15-17
4.
Preaching the Gospel
Matt. 24:14
5.
Universal Witness
Rev. 14:6; Matt. 24:14
6.
Impending Loud Cry
Rev. 18:1, 4
Signs of Christ's Coming: Tribulation and the Gospel
LESSON 4
Part 1
TRIBULATION FOR
CHRIST'S NAME
Matt. 24:9, 10
Sunday
October 22
What did Jesus say would be a cause of apostasy
before His coming?
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and
shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for
my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and
shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
What is the reason for this hatred, by the world, of those
who follow Jesus? It is because the principle by which the
world lives and that by which Jesus and His followers live are
incompatible opposites. The self-centered principle of Satan
and the world leads men to resort to force. The principle of
love, or unselfishness, held by Jesus and His followers leaves
every person free to make his own decision.
"Between righteousness and sin, love and hatred, truth
and falsehood, there is an irrepressible conflict. When one
presents the love of Christ and the beauty of holiness, he is
drawing away the subjects of Satan's kingdom, and the prince
of evil is aroused to resist it. Persecution and reproach await
all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The character of
the persecution changes with the times, but the principle—the
spirit that underlies it—is the same that has slain the chosen
of the Lord ever since the days of
Abel."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
page 29.
To what times do Jesus' words of verse 9 point? Matt.
24:1-3.
"From Olivet the Saviour beheld the storms about to
fall upon the apostolic church; and penetrating deeper into
the future, His eye discerned the fierce, wasting tempests that
were to beat upon His followers in the coming ages of darkness
and persecution. In a few brief utterances. . . . He foretold
the portion which the rulers of this world would mete out to
the church of God."—The
Great Controversy,
page 39.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the meaning of the phrase "for my name's
sake"?
"The Saviour bade His disciples not
to hope that the world's enmity to the
gospel would be overcome, and that
after a time its opposition would cease.
He said, 'I came not to send peace, but
a sword.' This creating of strife is not
the effect of the gospel, but the result of
opposition to it. Of all persecution the
hardest to bear is variance in the
home, the estrangement of dearest
earthly friends. But Jesus declares, 'He
that loveth father or mother more than
Me is not worthy of Me: and he that
loveth son or daughter more than Me is
not worthy of Me. And he that taketh
not his cross, and followeth after Me,
is not worthy of Me.' "—"The Desire of
Ages," page 357.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Desire of Ages, " pages 354-357.
29
Signs of Christ's Coming: Tribulation and the Gospel
LESSON 4
Part 2
THE GREAT
TRIBULATION
Matt. 24:21
THINK IT THROUGH
Monday
October 23
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not
since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever
shall be."
1)- What prophetic period was the time of great tribula-
tion? Dan. 7:25.
"From the destruction of Jerusalem, Christ passed on rap-
idly to the greater event, the last link in the chain of this
earth's history,—the coming of the Son of God in majesty and
glory. Between •these two events, there lay open to Christ's
view long centuries of darkness, centuries for His church
marked with blood and tears and agony. Upon these scenes
His disciples could not then endure to look, and Jesus passed
them by with a brief mention. 'Then shall be great tribula-
tion,' He said, 'such as was not since the beginning of the
world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those
days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but
for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' For more
than a thousand years such persecution as the world had never
before known was to come upon Christ's followers. Millions
upon millions of His faithful witnesses were to be slain."—
The Desire of Ages,
pages 630, 631.
la-
What would prevent the complete annihilation of hu-
man beings? Matt. 24:22.
"The persecution of the church did not continue throughout
the entire period of the 1260 years. God in mercy to His people
cut short the time of their fiery trial. In foretelling the 'great
tribulation' to befall the church, the Saviour said: 'Except
those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:
but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' Matthew
24:22. Through the influence of the Reformation the persecu-
tion was brought to an end prior to
1798."—The Great Con-
troversy,
pages 266, 267.
What is the root relationship between persecution and
the second coming of Jesus?
"When Cain, moved by the spirit of
the wicked one, saw that he could not
control Abel, he was so enraged that
he destroyed his life. And wherever
there are any who will stand in vindi-
cation of the righteousness of the law
of God, the same spirit will be mani-
fested against them. It is the spirit that
through all the ages has set up the
stake and kindled the burning pile for
the disciples of Christ. But the cruelties
heaped upon the follower of Jesus are
instigated by Satan and his hosts be-
cause they cannot force him to submit
to their control. It is the rage of a van-
quished foe. Every martyr of Jesus has
died a conquerer.—"Patriarchs and
Prophets," page
77.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 84-86.
30
Part 3
FUTURE
TRIBULATION
Rev. 13:15-17
THINK IT THROUGH
Tuesday
October 24
What results will follow a refusal to worship accord-
ing to legal prescription?
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the
beast, that the image of the beast should both speak,
and cause that as many as would not worship the image
of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both
small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive
a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and
that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the
mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his
name."
"As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-
sabbath [in the final crisis], some of them will be thrust into
prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To
human wisdom all this now seems impossible; but as the
restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and
they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine
precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can
be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed."—The
Great Controversy,
page 608.
"Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear
sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted and
hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Chris-
tain will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope
brighter, than in days of prosperity."—Ibid., p. 602.
Ea-
What separation in the church does the deception and
violence of the world bring? Matt. 24:12, 13.
Why does true Christianity produce persecution?
Signs of Christ's Coming: Tribulation and the Gospel
LESSON 4
"God never forces the will or the con-
science; but Satan's constant resort—
to gain control of those whom he can-
not otherwise seduce—is compulsion by
cruelty. Through fear or force he en-
deavors to rule the conscience and to
secure homage to himself. To accom-
plish this, he works through both reli-
gious and secular authorities, moving
them to the enforcement of human
laws in defiance of the law of God.
"Those who honor the Bible Sabbath
will be denounced as enemies of law
and order, as breaking down the moral
restraints of society, causing anarchy
and corruption, and calling down the
judgments of God upon the earth. Their
conscientious scruples will be pro-
nounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and
contempt of authority. They will be
accused of disaffection toward the gov-
ernment."—"The Great Controversy,"
pages 591, 592.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 603-605.
31
Signs of Christ's Coming: Tribulation and the Gospel
LESSON 4
Part 4
PREACHING THE
GOSPEL
Matt. 24:14
Wednesday
October 25
to- What is the content of the message that is to be her-
alded?
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in
all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come."
The gospel is the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.
"Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people, lift Him up in
sermon, in song, in prayer. Let all your powers be directed to
pointing souls, confused, bewildered, lost, to 'the Lamb of
God.' Lift Him up, the risen Saviour, and say to all who hear,
Come to Him who 'bath loved us, and hath given Himself for
us.' Let the science of salvation be the burden of every sermon,
the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every
supplication. Bring nothing into your preaching to supplement
Christ, the wisdom and power of God. Hold forth the word
of life, presenting Jesus as the hope of the penitent and the
stronghold of every believer. Reveal the way of peace to the
troubled and the despondent, and show forth the grace and
completeness of the
Saviour."—Gospel Workers,
page 160.
I). By what method is the gospel of Jesus to be carried?
"God's appointed means of saving souls is through 'the fool-
ishness of preaching.' Though human, and compassed with the
frailties of humanity, men are God's messengers; and the dear
Saviour is grieved when so little is effected by their labors.
Every minister who goes out into the great harvest field should
magnify his office. He should not only seek to bring men to
the knowledge of the truth, but he should labor, as did Paul,
'warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom,'
that he may 'present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.'
"—
Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 300.
Contrast this loving persuasion with the persecution by Satan
and his followers.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is my life-style based on the persuasive principles of
the gospel, or the coercive principles of the world?
"Persecution will spread the light. oppress the disciples. But under loss
The servants of Christ will be brought
and suffering, even unto death, the
before the great men of the world,
Lord's children are to reveal the meek-
who, but for this, might never hear
ness of their divine Example. Thus will
the gospel. . . . As the Spirit of God
be seen the contrast between Satan's
illuminates the minds of His servants,
agents and the representatives of
the truth will be presented in its divine
Christ. The Saviour will be lifted up
power and preciousness. Those who before the rulers and the people."—
reject the truth will stand to accuse and
"The Desire of Ages," page 354.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Desire of Ages, " pages 349-352.
32
Signs of Christ's Coming: Tribulation and the Gospel
El Thursday
LESSON 4
October 26
Part 5
How widespread and particular is the last preaching
UNIVERSAL of the gospel to be?
WITNESS
Rev. 14:6;
Matt. 24:14
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that
dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred,
and tongue, and people."
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in
all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall
the end come."
"The commission given to the disciples is given also to us.
To-day, as then, a crucified and risen Saviour is to be uplifted
before those who are without God and without hope in the
world. The Lord calls for pastors, teachers, and evangelists.
From door to door His servants are to proclaim the message
of salvation. To every nation, kindred, tongue, and people the
tidings of pardon through Christ are to be carried."—Gospel
Workers,
page 29.
Note that the preaching of the gospel is coextensive with the
hatred of the world for Jesus' followers.
ta- Why must all men hear the message?
"But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the
truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and
has been rejected. There are many who have never had an
opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obli-
gation of the fourth commandment has never been set before
them in its true light. He who reads every heart.and tries every
motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to
be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is
not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have
sufficient light to make his decision intelligently."—The
Great
Controversy,
page 605.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is my paramount task in hastening the advent?
"The power of a higher, purer, no-
bler life is our great need. The world is
watching to see what fruit is borne by
professed Christians. It Wars a right to
look for self-denial and self-sacrifice
from those who believe advanced
truth. . . .
"Christ is waiting with longing de-
sire for the manifestation of Himself in
His church. When the character of the
Saviour shall be perfectly reproduced
in His people, then He will come to
claim His own. It is the privilege of ev-
ery Christian, not only to look for, but
to hasten, the coming of our Lord. Were
all who profess His name bearing fruit
to His glory, how quickly the whole
world would be sown with the seed of
the gospel! Quickly the last great har-
vest would be ripened, and Christ
would come."—"Counsels to Teachers,"
page 324.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Counsels to Teachers," pages 321-324.
33
Signs of Christ's Coming: Tribulation and the Gospel
Friday
LESSON 4
October
27
Part 6 C. What is the purpose of the final gospel witness?
IMPENDING
LOUD CRY
Rev. 18:1, 4
"And after these things I saw another angel come
down from heaven, having great power; and the earth
was lightened with his glory." "And I heard another
voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive
not of her plagues."
"The Lord God of heaven will not send upon the world His
judgments for disobedience and transgression until He has sent
His watchmen to give the warning. He will not close up the
period of probation until the message shall be more distinctly
proclaimed. The law of God is to be magnified; its claims must
be presented in their true, sacred character, that the people
may be brought to decide for or against the truth. Yet the work
will be cut short in righteousness. The message of Christ's righ-
teousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other
to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which
closes the work of the third
angel."—Testimonies,
Vol. 6, p. 19.
"The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be
fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel's message,
'another angel' is to 'come down from heaven, having great
power,' and the earth is to be 'lightened with his glory.' The
Spirit of the Lord will so graciously bless consecrated human
instrumentalities that men, women, and children will open their
lips in praise and thanksgiving, filling the earth with the knowl-
edge of God, and with His unsurpassed glory, as the waters
cover the sea."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Com-
mentary,
Vol. 7, p. 984.
"During the loud cry, the church, aided by the providential
interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge
of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated to
every city and town. The earth will be filled with the knowl-
edge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of
God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies,
that the light of present truth will be seen flashing every-
where."—Evangelism,
page 694.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are the prerequisites to my receiving the latter
rain and participating in the loud cry?
"Instead of man's speculations, let
ing of the Spirit in apostolic days was
the word of God be preached. Let Chris-
the 'former rain,' and glorious was the
tians put away their dissensions, and
result. But the 'latter rain' will be more
give themselves to God for the saving abundant. Joel 2:23."—"The Desire of
of the lost. Let them in faith ask for the
Ages," page 827.
blessing, and it will come. The outpour-
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 610-612.
34
LESSON 5
October
29
to November 4
SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING: IN THE HEAVENS
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and
the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken." Matt. 24:29.
The greatest event of all the ages, the
second coming of Christ, is soon to take
place. He wants us to know about this
wonderful event so that we may be ready
for it. Himself the greatest of the prophets,
He promised that the approach of His re-
turn would be announced by undeniable
signs in that most noticeable of all sign-
boards, the heavens.
"He comes again, Creator of the speed-
ing spheres. The God of nature returns.
Little wonder that the very elements will
first herald and then accompany His trium-
phant descent ! . . .
"At the time of Christ's death the sun
refused to shine on the scene. The earth
quaked. All nature rebelled at what was
done to its Creator. Would you not, then,
expect that the God of the atom, the Christ
who stilled the storm and quieted the waves
with a word, would herald His return, the
climax of human history, by manifesta-
tions in nature? Listen to this: 'I will shew
wonders in the heavens . . . before the
great and terrible day of the Lord come.'
Joel 2:30, 31. And Jesus Himself said,
3—A4QT.72
`There shall be signs in the sun, and in the
moon, and in the stars.' Luke 21:25."—
George Vandeman,
Planet in Rebellion,
page 118.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Celestial Signs of the Past
Ex. 10:21-23
2.
The Prophets Predicted
Celestial Signs
Amos 8:9
3.
The Day of the Lord
Isa. 13:9, 10
4.
New Testament Predictions of
Celestial Signs
Matt. 24:29, first part
5.
The Meaning of the Dark
Day and the Falling Stars
Matt. 24:30
6.
The Modern Relevancy of
Celestial Signs
Matt. 24:29, 30
35
Part 1
CELESTIAL SIGNS
OF THE PAST
Ex. 10:21-23
THINK IT THROUGH
Sunday
October
29
What circumstances prevailed during the ninth plague
on Egypt?
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand
toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land
of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses
stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was
a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: they
saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for
three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their
dwellings."
"Not only were the people deprived of light, but the at-
mosphere was very oppressive, so that breathing was difficult.
`They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for
three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their
dwellings.' The sun and moon were objects of worship to the
Egyptians; in this mysterious darkness the people and their
gods alike were smitten by the power that had undertaken the
cause of the bondmen. Yet fearful as it was, this judgment is
an evidence of God's compassion and His unwillingness to de-
stroy. He would give the people time for reflection and repent-
ance before bringing upon them the last and most terrible of the
plagues."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 272.
1:0-
When Jesus was crucified, what conditions existed for
three hours? Luke 23:44, 45.
"Complete darkness, like a funeral pall, enveloped the cross.
`There was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.'
There was no eclipse or other natural cause for this darkness,
which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. It was
a miraculous testimony given by God that the faith of after
generations might be confirmed."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
753.
For what reasons did God give these signs on Egypt
and at the cross?
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Heavens
LESSON 5
"The conviction forced upon many
at the time of Christ's trial, at the time
when the three hours' darkness en-
shrouded the cross, without any natural
cause for it, and when the last sen-
tences were uttered, 'My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?' It is
finished,' Into thy hands I commend
my spirit,' was seed sown that ripened
into harvest when at a future date the
gospel was boldly proclaimed by His
disciples. The shaking earth, the pierc-
ing cry, the sudden death which called
forth in no whispered tones the cry, 'It
is finished,' forced from many the
words, 'Assuredly this man was righ-
teous'; 'Truly this was the Son of God.' "
—Ellen G. White Comments, "SDA Bible
Commentary," Vol. 5, p. 1108.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Desire of Ages," pages 753-757.
36
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Heavens
LESSON 5
Part 2
THE PROPHETS
PREDICTED
CELESTIAL SIGNS
Amos 8:9
El
Monday
October 30
0. What celestial wonders did Amos prophesy?
"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord
God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I
will darken the earth in the clear day."
This prophecy was written by Amos as part of a larger
prophecy, including all of chapter 8, that deals with the cap-
tivity of the northern kingdom, Israel, and her eventual non-
existence.
0- What celestial wonders did Ezekiel prophesy? Ezek.
32:7. About what event was he writing? Verses 2, 7.
In what context did Joel write of celestial signs?
Joel 3:1, 15.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is common to the setting in which the prophets
predict celestial signs?
"The student of the Bible who hopes
to secure
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Teatest
help will
first proceed to reconstruct the historical
context of each passage. He will listen
to the prophet speaking to Israel of old
and endeavor to understand what his
words meant to the people who origi-
nally heard them. But he will listen also
for the further import the prophet's
words may have for later times, par-
ticularly, our time. Indeed, this second-
ary application is for us today the more
significant. But it is only against the
background of the original historical
context of the message that its meaning
and value for us can be established
with certainty.
"A study of the Old Testament
prophets that consists primarily of lift-
ing selected passages here and there
out of their historical context and arbi-
trarily applying them to our day—as if
the prophet spoke exclusively for our
benefit—is fraught with grave danger.
In fact, this procedure is responsible
more than anything else for the fanci-
ful interpretations that distinguish the
teachings of certain religious groups."
—"SDA Bible Commentary," Vol. 4, pp.
37, 38.
FOR
FURTHER STUDY: "SDA
Bible Commentary," Vol.
4,
pp. 36-38.
37
Signs of Christ's Coining: In the Heavens
LESSON 5
Tuesday
October 31
Part 3
THE DAY OF
THE LORD
Isa. 13:9, 10
"Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with
wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he
shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars
of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give
their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth,
and the moon shall not cause her light to shine."
In yesterday's section of the lesson the relation between
prophecies of doom and celestial signs was noted. The prophets
often refer to these days of judgment as "the day of the Lord,"
as does Isaiah in the above reference.
"This expression occurs at least 20 times in the writings of
the various OT prophets. It is always used in reference to a
time of divine judgment upon a city or nation (rather than
upon individuals), or eventually upon the inhabitants of the
whole world....
" 'The day of the Lord' against Judah (see Isa. 2:12 ; Joel
1:15; 2:1; Zeph. 1:7) was thus the day when, as a nation, it
was no longer permitted to continue on in its reprobate course
and divine judgment was meted out against it (see Eze. 12 :21-
28). . . . What happens to a city or to an entire nation when
`the day of the Lord' comes to it is similar to what will happen
to the whole world at the close of its probation. . . . Thus,
principles that apply when 'the day of the Lord' comes to any
city or nation also apply when 'the day of the Lord' comes
upon the world as a whole, and an OT prophetic description
of the fate of some ancient city or nation in terms of 'the day
of the Lord' applies also in principle to 'the great day of the
Lord' (Zeph. 1:14) at the end of time."—SDA
Bible Com-
mentary,
on Isa. 13:6.
What description of the day of the Lord is given by
Zephaniah? Zeph. 1:14, 15.
THINK IT THROUGH
How is the expression "the day of the Lord" appro-
priate to the day of doom and judgment?
"God's elect must stand untainted
amid the corruptions teeming around
them in these last days. . . . The Spirit
of God should have perfect control, in-
fluencing every action.
"Those who enter upon active life
with firm principles will be prepared
to stand unsullied amid the moral pol-
lutions of this corrupt age.
"'Who, 0 Lord, shall stand when
thou appearest?' Only those who have
clean hands and a pure heart shall
abide in the day of His coming.... As
you hope to be finally exalted to join
the society of sinless angels and to live
in an atmosphere where there is not
the least taint of sin, seek purity; for
nothing else Hill abide the searching
test of the day of God and be received
into a pure and holy heaven."—Ellen
G. White, "My Life Today," page 72.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 310, 311.
38
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Heavens
LESSON 5
Part 4
NEW TESTAMENT
PREDICTIONS OF
CELESTIAL SIGNS
Matt. 24:29, first part
THINK IT THROUGH
Wednesday
November 1
What events related to the sun and moon did Jesus
foretell?
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall
the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her
light."
Jesus "mentioned certain events to precede His coming, and
fixed the time when the first of these should be witnessed: 'In
those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light.' Mark 13:24. The 1260
days, or years, terminated in 1798. A quarter of a century
earlier, persecution had almost wholly ceased. Following this
persecution, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to
be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was
fulfilled."—The
Great Controversy,
page 306.
Ca What event related to the stars did Jesus foretell?
Mark 13:25.
"In 1833, . . . the last of the signs appeared which were
promised by the Saviour as tokens of His second advent. Said
Jesus: 'The stars shall fall from heaven.' Matthew 24:29. . . .
This prophecy received a striking and impressive fulfillment in
the great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833."—The
Great
Controversy,
page 333.
The dark day and the falling of the stars are occurrences
that are so well-known among Seventh-day Adventists that
one may question the wisdom of including them here. The pur-
pose is to look at them anew in the light of related Old Testa-
ment texts. They are thus seen, not as merely unusual happen-
ings that foretell the advent of Jesus, but as events that bristle
with meaning imparted by their Old Testament antecedents
and that give an eschatological quality to our own life time.
Why are celestial signs especially appropriate as signs
of the advent from a Biblical viewpoint? From a psy-
chological viewpoint?
"Let men beware lest they neglect
the lesson conveyed to them in the
words of Christ. As He warned His
disciples of Jerusalem's destruction, giv-
ing them a sign of the approaching
ruin, that they might make their escape;
so He has warned the world of the day
of final destruction and has given them
tokens of its approach, that all who
will may flee from the wrath to come.
Jesus declares: 'There shall be signs in
the sun, and in the moon, and in the
stars; and upon the earth distress of
nations.' Luke 21:25; Matthew 24:29;
Mark 13:24-26; Revelation 6:12-17.
Those who behold these harbingers of
His coming are to 'know that it is near,
even at the doors.' Matthew 24:33."
—"The Great Controversy," pages 37,
38.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Early Writings," page 41.
39
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Heavens
LESSON 5
Thursday
November 2
Part 5
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in
THE MEANING OF heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,
THE DARK DAY and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds
AND THE of heaven with power and great glory."
FALLING STARS
Matt. 24:30
The darkened sun and accompanying manifestations, which
were related to the day of the Lord in the Old Testament,
Jesus now relates to His coming again. The conclusion is in-
escapable that Jesus regards His second advent as the day of
the Lord for the whole world. But He does not say that the
day of His coming will be black or sunless, as some of the
prophets described the day of the Lord, but that a sunless day
will precede His coming. Thus that which was used in the Old
Testament as a description of the day of the Lord itself is in
the New Testament used as a sign preceding the day of the
Lord to indicate that it is approaching. As the day of the Lord
was the moment of defeat of a city or nation, so the coming
day of the Lord is the day of defeat and surrender of those
in the world who have rebelled against God.
The Old Testament signs in the stars are stated only as
nonvisibility. This clearly relates to the darkness of the day of
the Lord and not to the falling of the stars. The meteoric
shower is a prophecy of Jesus and John (Rev. 6:12, 13) that
has no Old Testament precedent, but by its close textual con-
nection with the dark day has precisely the same meaning.
The dark day and the falling stars declared dramatically and
nonverbally the same awesome message that Zephaniah enun-
ciated concerning Judah. "The great day of the Lord is near,
it is near, and hasteth greatly." Zeph. 1:14, first part. That
message was fulfilled within the lifetime of men who heard
it. More time than that has passed since 1780 and 1833, but
then it is a much more awesome event toward which they point
than the captivity of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar.
to- What did Jesus say would be the reaction of earth's
population to the events in connection with His coming?
Matt. 24:30.
THINK IT THROUGH
What significance do you see in the proximity of 1780
and 1833 to the close of two prophetic periods?
"The world is no more ready to credit
the message for this time than were the
Jews to receive the Saviour's warning
concerning Jerusalem. Come when it
may, the day of God will come un-
awares to the ungodly. When life is
going on in its unvarying round; when
men are absorbed in pleasure, in busi-
ness, in traffic, in money-making; when
religious leaders are magnifying the
world's progress and enlightenment,
and the people are lulled in a false
security—then, as the midnight thief
steals within the unguarded dwelling,
so shall sudden destruction come upon
the careless and ungodly, 'and they
shall not escape.' Verse 3."—"The Great
Controversy," page 38.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Prophets and Kings," pages
389-391.
40
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Heavens
LESSON 5
Part 6
THE MODERN
RELEVANCY OF
CELESTIAL SIGNS
Matt. 24:29, 30
Friday
November 3
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall
the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her
light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers
of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear
the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all
the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son
of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory."
The dark day and the falling stars are the only
single
events
that Jesus stated in His prophecies given in response to the
disciples' question about the temple. He mentions recurring
events that really are conditions existing in the world through
the Christian dispensation. The celestial signs stand out as the
great, clear-cut, specified events that announce the "season" of
His return.
Some persons question the relevancy of these celestial signs
to them because the signs did not occur in their lifetime, or in
many instances neither in their lifetime nor in the part of the
world in which they live. The question this raises is, Do the
dark day and the falling stars have meaning only for those who
saw them?
II. For whom was the Passover to have meaning? Ex.
12:25-27. Is the same principle applicable to the cross?
The great events of the plan of salvation have always had
meaning to those who knew about them and not merely to
those who lived in the time and place that they occurred. It
is our knowledge of the dark day and falling stars, made clear
and distinct by the Holy Spirit, that can make relevant to the
present day that which happened many years ago or in a dis-
tant part of the world.
We live after the signs of darkness and meterorites, and not
before them. That can be no more irrelevant to the Christian
than that he lives in
A.D.
time and not s.c.
THINK IT THROUGH
How is faith
in Jesus Christ related to the question of
relevancy of the celestial signs?
"Where is our faith in the word of
great day of the Lord is near at hand,
God? Must we see things foretold come
'even at the doors.' Let us read and
to pass before we will believe what He
understand before it is too late."—
has said? In clear, distinct rays light
"Testimonies," Vol. 9, p. 20.
has come to us, showing us that the
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 9, pp. 26, 27.
41
LESSON 6
November 5-11
SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING: IN THE EARTH
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look
for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot,
and blameless." 2 Peter 3:13, 14.
"Everything in the world is in agitation.
The signs of the times are ominous. Com-
ing events cast their shadows before. The
Spirit of God is withdrawing from the
earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea
and by land. There are tempests, earth-
quakes, fires, floods, murders of every
grade. Who can read the future? Where
is security? There is assurance in nothing
that is human or earthly. Rapidly are men
ranging themselves under the banner they
have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting
and watching the movements of their lead-
ers. There are those who are waiting and
watching and working for our Lord's ap-
pearing. Another class are falling into line
under the generalship of the first great
apostate. Few believe with heart and soul
that we have a hell to shun and a heaven
to win. . . .
"Solemnly there come to us down through
42
the centuries the warning words of our
Lord from the Mount of Olives: . . .
`Watch ye therefore, and pray always.'
"—
The Desire of Ages,
page 636.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
A World in Apprehension
Luke 21:25, 26
2.
Rising Tide of Anger
Matt. 24:6-8
3.
A World of Scoffers
2 Peter 3:3, 4
4.
Economic Injustice
James 5:1-4
5.
Social World
2 Tim. 3:1-5
6.
Preparation for the Advent
2 Peter 3:11, 12
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Earth
LESSON 6
Part 1
A WORLD IN
APPREHENSION
Luke 21:25, 26
THINK IT THROUGH
Sunday
November 5
Be- What two conditions did Jesus say would exist among
men before His coming?
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,
and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's
hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those
things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of
heaven shall be shaken."
"The Greek implies that the 'perplexity' is due to 'the sea
and the waves roaring.' ...
"The sea. Christ here associates manifestations of the de-
structive forces of nature with signs in the heavens immediately
preceding His return to earth in power and glory.
"Men's hearts. Literally, 'men expiring from fear,' or 'men
fainting from fear.' The latter part of the verse gives as the
climactic reason for men's hearts failing them for fear, the shak-
ing of 'the powers of heaven.' The scene here depicted takes
place under the seventh plague (EW 41; GC 636). Upon this
scene 'the wicked look with terror and amazement' . . . , call-
ing for the mountains and the rocks to fall upon them."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Luke 21:25, 26.
While the complete fulfillment of these prophecies comes
in connection with the final deliverance of God's people, Ellen
G. White, in the following quotation, indicates that these
prophecies had begun to be fulfilled as long as seventy-two
years ago:
"The nations are in unrest. Times of perplexity are upon us.
The waves of the sea are roaring; men's hearts are failing them
for fear and for expectation of those things that are coming
upon the earth; but those who believe on the Son of God will
hear His voice amid the storm, saying, 'It is I; be not afraid.'"
—Evangelism,
page 18.
What can prevent perplexity and fear in the life of
the Christian? Be specific and basic.
"There are troublous times before
us; the judgments of God are coming
upon our world. The nations of the
earth are to tremble. There will be
trials and perplexities on every hand;
men's hearts will fail them for fear.
And what shall we do in that day?
Though the earth shall reel to and fro
like a drunkard, and be removed like
a cottage, if we have made God our
trust, He will deliver us. . . .
"Christ
sees the termination of the
conflict. The battle is waging more and
more fiercely. Soon He will come whose
right it is, and will take possession of
all earthly things. All the confusion in
our world, all the violence and crime,
are a fulfilment of the words of Christ.
They are the signs of the nearness of
His coming."—Ellen G. White, "Sons
and Daughters of God," page 354.
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Testimonies," Vol.
8,
pp. 49, 50.
43
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Earth
LESSON 6
Monday
November 6
Part 2 Es- What did Jesus call the wars and catastrophes that
RISING TIDE would take place before His return?
OF ANGER
Matt. 24:6-8
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see
that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come
to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there
shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in
divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
"Amid national strife and ruin, the steps of the disciples
would be beset with perils, and often their hearts would be
oppressed by fear. They were to see Jerusalem a desolation. . . .
[Matthew 24:6-8 quoted in part.] Yet Christ's followers were
not to fear that their hope was lost or that God had forsaken
the
earth."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 120.
I> What was the state of the nations as John saw them?
Rev. 11:18. What period of history is the context?
"We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn
events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange and eventful history is
being recorded in the books of heaven—events which it was
declared should shortly precede the great day of God. Every-
thing in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are
angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation
is plotting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The
great day of God is hasting
greatly."—Selected Messages,
Bk. 1, p. 221.
Ps- What events are in the news today (November 6,
1972) that you recognize as a fulfillment of Jesus' prophe-
cies?
THINK IT THROUGH
If war and calamities are only the beginning of sor-
row, what is the sorrow itself?
"The ruin of Jerusalem was a symbol
of the final ruin that shall overwhelm
the world. The prophecies that received
a partial fulfillment in the overthrow of
Jerusalem have a more direct applica-
tion to the last days. We are now stand-
ing on the threshold of great and
solemn events. A crisis is before us,
such as the world has never witnessed.
And sweetly to us, as to the first dis-
ciples, comes the assurance that God's
kingdom ruleth over all. The program
of coming events is in the hands of our
Maker. The Majesty of heaven has the
destiny of nations, as well as the con-
cerns of His church, in His own charge."
—"Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-
ing," pages 120, 121.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Selected Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 221-225.
44
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Earth
LESSON 6
Part 3
A WORLD OF
SCOFFERS
2 Peter 3:3, 4
THINK IT THROUGH
Tuesday
November 7
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last
days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying,
Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers
fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation."
"There shall come—scoffers]
Persons who shall endeavor to
turn all religion into ridicule, as this is the most likely way to
depreciate truth in the sight of the giddy multitude. The
scoffers, having no solid argument to produce against revela-
tion, . . . affect to laugh at it, and get superficial thinkers to
laugh with them.
"Walking after their own lusts]
Here is the true
source
of
all infidelity. The Gospel of Jesus is
pure
and
holy,
and requires
a
holy heart
and
holy life.
They wish to follow their own
lusts,
and consequently cannot brook the restraints of the Gospel:
therefore they labour to prove that it is not true."—Clarke's
Commentary,
on 2 Peter
3:3.
Pi- What question did Jesus ask concerning the last days?
Luke 18:8.
"Human reasoning and the imaginings of the human heart
are undermining the inspiration of the Word of God, and that
which should be received as granted, is surrounded with a cloud
of mysticism. Nothing stands out in clear and distinct lines,
upon rock bottom. This is one of the marked signs of the last
days."—Selected Messages,
Bk.
1, p. 15.
What can prevent me from being a scoffer? Be spe-
cific.
"To those who have united them-
selves to Him, He declares: 'Though a
mother may forget her child, "yet will
not I forget thee. Behold, I have graven
thee upon the palms of My hands."
Thou art continually before Me.'
"Oh, what amazing privileges are
proffered us!
"Will we put forth most earnest ef-
forts to form this alliance with Christ,
through which alone these blessings
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 102-104.
45
are attained? Will we break off our
sins by righteousness and our iniquities
by turning unto the Lord? Skepticism
and infidelity are widespread. Christ
asked the question: 'When the Son of
man cometh, shall He find faith on the
earth?' We must cherish a living, active
faith. The permanence of our faith is
the condition of our union."—"Testi-
monies," Vol. 5, pp. 230, 231.
Part 4
ECONOMIC
INJUSTICE
James 5:1-4
Wednesday
November 8
"Go to now, ye rich men, weep
and
howl for your
miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are cor-
rupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold
and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a
witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were
fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down
your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth:
and the cries of them which have reaped are entered
into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth."
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Earth
LESSON 6
"For the last days. Or,
'in the last days.' . . . The statements
of our Lord concerning the accumulation of riches . . . reveal
that the condition described in James 5:1-6 prevailed in NT
times. . . . Greed has always led to oppression, and always will.
But as with the violence and injustice of which Paul speaks in
2 Tim. 3:1-5 . . . , greed and oppression are to reach a climax
in the days immediately preceding the 'coming of the Lord.'
"—
SDA Bible Commentary,
on James 5:3.
170-
In spite of manifest injustices, what advice did James
give his fellow believers? James 5:7.
"And he brings forth fruit 'with patience.' None who receive
God's word are exempt from difficulty and trial; but when
affliction comes, the true Christian does not become restless,
distrustful, or despondent. Though we can not see the definite
outcome of affairs, or discern the purpose of God's providences,
we are not to cast away our confidence. Remembering the tender
mercies of the Lord, we should cast our care upon Him, and
with patience wait for His salvation."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 60, 61.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the Christian remedy for injustice?
"Love of money and love of display
have made this world as a den of
thieves and robbers. The Scriptures pic-
ture the greed and oppression that will
prevail just before Christ's second com-
ing. [James 5:1, 3-6 quoted.]
"Even among those who profess to
be walking in the fear of the Lord,
there are some who are acting over
again the course pursued by the nobles
of Israel. Because it is in their power to
do so, they exact more than is just, and
thus become oppressors. . . .
"Every unjust act toward a fellow
being is a violation of the golden rule.
Every wrong done to the children of
God is done to Christ Himself in the
person of His saints. Every attempt to
take advantage of the ignorance, weak-
ness, or misfortune of another is reg-
istered as fraud in the ledger of
heaven. He who truly fears God, would
rather toil day and night, and eat the
bread of poverty, than to indulge the
passion for gain that oppresses the
widow and fatherless or turns the stran-
ger from his right."—"Prophets and
Kings," pages 651, 652.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 1, pp. 174-176.
46
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Earth
LESSON 6
Part 5
SOCIAL WORLD
2 Tim. 3:1-5
THINK IT THROUGH
Thursday
November
9
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers
of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a
form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away."
Ellen G. White points out that the individuals described here
are not worldlings who make no profession of religion. Rather
they are the professing Christians, whose names are on the
church books. "Their service to God degenerates into a form.
. . . The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special
characteristic of those who live just before Christ's second
coming....
"This is the class that in time of peril are found crying,
Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and
dream not of
danger."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 411.
How did Paul indicate that moral conditions would
deteriorate as the end of time approaches? 2 Tim. 3:13.
"In the night season I seemed to be enumerating in my mind
the evidences we have to substantiate the faith we hold. We
se:: that seducers are waxing worse and worse. We see the world
working to the point of establishing by law a false sabbath, and
making it a test for all. This question will soon be before us.
. . . The working out of Satan's plans will bring persecution to
the people of God. But the faithful servants of God need not
fear the outcome of the conflict. If they will follow the pattern
set for them in the life of Christ, if they will be true to the
requirements of God, their reward will be eternal life, a life
that measures with the life of
God."—Selected Messages,
Bk. 2,
p. 375.
Which of the last-day characteristics mentioned by
Paul are in my life? How can I conquer them?
"I have seen that there is danger that
even the professed children of God will
be corrupted. Licentiousness is binding
men and women as captives. They
seem to be infatuated and powerless
to resist and overcome upon the point
of appetite and passion. In God there
is power; in Him there is strength. If
they will take hold upon it, the life-
giving power of Jesus will stimulate
everyone who has named the name of
Christ. Dangers and perils surround us;
and we are only safe when we feel our
weakness and cling with the grasp of
faith to our mighty Deliverer. It is a
fearful time in which we live. We
cannot cease watchfulness and prayer
for a moment. Our helpless souls
i
m st
rely on Jesus, our compassionate Re-
deemer."—"Testimonies," Vol. 3, p. 473.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 502-506.
47
Part 6
PREPARATION
FOR THE ADVENT
2 Peter 3:11, 12
Friday
November 10
"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy con-
versation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto
the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being
on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat?"
Signs of Christ's Coming: In the Earth
LESSON 6
"The dissolution of
all these things
being certain, the urgent
consideration becomes,
What sort of persons ought you to be
in lives of holiness and godliness?
The answer to the question
is implied in the terms in which it is asked. The certain dis-
solution of all these things requires men to live lives of holiness
and godliness. Because scoffers assume the permanence of things
as they are, they do not
wait for new heavens and a new earth.
The temporal and transient occupy their attention. But holiness
and godliness belong to the eternal order. Like 'faith, hope,
love' . . . , they abide when
the elements . . . melt with fire."
—The Interpreter's Bible,
on 2 Peter 3:11-13, Vol. 12, p. 202.
The things of earth will be dissolved in the day of judg-
ment. All that man has made will be swept away—the lofty
skyscrapers, towering dams, broad highways, mighty ships, vast
cities—all will vanish. The only thing that will survive is the
character of the child of God. In view of this fact, Peter, Paul,
and other writers of the New Testament urge us to put first
things first. We must give attention to developing a character
which will stand in the judgment, one that, when weighed in
the balance, will not be found wanting.
What will be the condition of the children of God
when He appears? 1 John 3:2.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the factor in life that will make me ready for
the judgment?
"The most exalted of the redeemed
host that stand before the throne of
God and the Lamb, clad in white, know
the conflict of overcoming, for they
have come up through great tribula-
tion. Those who have yielded to cir-
cumstances rather than engage in this
conflict will not know how to stand in
that day when anguish will be upon
every soul, when, though Noah, Job,
and Daniel were in the land, they could
save neither son nor daughter, for ev-
eryone must deliver his soul by his
own righteousness.
"No one need say that his case is
hopeless, that he cannot live the life
of a Christian. Ample provision is made
by the death of Christ for every soul.
Jesus is our ever-present help in time
of need. Only call upon Him in faith,
and He has promised to hear and an-
swer your petitions.
"Oh, for a living, active faith! We
need it; we must have it, or we shall
faint and fail in the day of trial."—
"Testimonies," Vol. 5, p. 215.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol.
5
, pp. 727-729.
48
LESSON 7
November 12-18
THE NATURE OF THE SIGNS
7
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh." Matt. 24:44.
In the record of Matthew 24:4-31 Jesus
has answered the disciples' question about
signs by clearly stating events that would
take place between that moment and the
second advent, and the destruction of Jeru-
salem also. But He was not content merely
to state the signs. He also taught the dis-
ciples how to interpret the signs. They
must know how to apply the signs in the
actual situation. They must have not only
the general knowledge that there would be
such-and-such signs, but also the specific
knowledge of what the signs did or did not
mean. He taught them how to relate to the
signs by telling them the parables and illus-
trations recorded in Matthew 24 and 25—
the fig tree, Noah's day, two at work, the
thief at night, the two servants, the ten
girls, the talents, and the judgment scene.
In the lessons for the next four weeks
we will study the teaching of these parables
and illustrations about the signs of the sec-
ond advent, which is the context in which
Jesus gave them.
This week primary attention will be given
to Matt. 24:32-44. In this passage Jesus
taught what the signs can and cannot do,
and how believers should therefore react
to the signs.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Purpose
Matt. 24:32-34
2.
Certainty
Verse 35
3.
Limitation: Unknown Day
Verses 36-39
4.
Watching Required
Verses 40-42
5.
Limitation: Unexpected Hour
Verse 43
6.
Readiness Required
Verse 44
49
The Nature of the Signs
LESSON 7
Sunday
November I2
Part 1
What do the leaves mean in the parable of the fig
PURPOSE tree? The summer?
Matt. 24:32, 33
"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch
is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that
summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all
these things,
know
that it is near, even at the doors."
What is the purpose of the signs as revealed by this
parable?
"Christ has given signs of His coming. He declares that we
may know when He is near, even at the doors. He says of
those who see these signs, 'This generation shall not pass, till
all these things be fulfilled.' These signs have appeared. Now
we know of a surety 'that the Lord's coming is at hand."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 632.
"The angels of God in their messages to men represent time
as very short. Thus it has always been presented to me. It is
'true that time has continued longer than we expected in the
early days of this message. Our Saviour did not appear as soon
as we hoped. But has the word of the Lord failed? Never! It
should be remembered that the promises and threatenings of
God arc alike conditional."—Selected
Messages,
Bk. 1, p. 67.
How did Jesus add meaning to the word "near"?
Matt. 24:34.
This prophecy was fulfilled in relation to the destruction of
Jerusalem. The city was destroyed in the lifetime of those who
saw the signs. Interpretation becomes a problem when we seek
the meaning of verse 34 in connection with the second advent.
The signs have stretched out over several lifetimes. One explana-
tion that some hold to be tenable emphasizes the conditional
nature of God's promises and threatenings as noted above.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I maintain a constant consciousness of the
nearness of Jesus' return?
"We have reached the period fore-
told in these scriptures [Luke 21:31, 34,
36]. The time of the end is come, the
visions of the prophets are unsealed,
and their solemn warnings point us to
our Lord's coming in glory as near at
hand."—"The Desire of Ages," page
235.
"Let no one's interpretation of proph-
ecy rob you of the conviction of the
knowledge of events which show that
this great event is near at hand."—
"Fundamentals of Christian Education,"
page 336.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 8, pp. 252-254.
50
The Nature of the Signs
LESSON 7
Monday
November 13
Part 2
How certain are Christ's words about the signs and
CERTAINTY the second advent?
Matt. 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words
shall not pass away."
"The prophecies which the great I AM has given in His
word, uniting link after link in the chain of events, from eter-
nity in the past to eternity in the future, tell us where we are
today in the procession of the ages and what may be expected
in the time to come. All that prophecy has foretold as coming
to pass, until the present time, has been traced on the pages of
history, and we may be assured that all which is yet to come
will be fulfilled in its
order."—Prophets and Kings,
page 536.
"It [the coming of the Lord] will not tarry past the time
that the message is borne to all nations, tongues, and peoples.
Shall we who claim to be students of prophecy forget that
God's forbearance to the wicked is a part of the vast and merci-
ful plan by which he is seeking to compass the salvation of
souls?"—Evangelism,
page 697.
What expression of the certainty of the advent does
Paul give? Heb. 10:36, 37.
"The lapse of time has brought great changes. Light has
increased and has become widespread. While the people who
are anxious for truth have been calling, 'Watchman, what of
the night?' the answer has been given intelligently, 'The morn-
ing cometh, and also the night.' By a thorough investigation
of the prophecies we understand where we are in this world's
history; and we know for a certainty that the second coming
of Christ is
near."—Testimonies,
Vol. 4, p. 592.
THINK IT THROUGH
How certain am I in my belief that Jesus is coming
soon?
"My dear brethren and sisters, let
the commandments of God and the
testimony of Jesus Christ be in your
minds continually and let them crowd
out worldly thoughts and cares. When
you lie down and when you rise up, let
them be your meditation. Live and act
wholly in reference to the coming of
the Son of man. The sealing time is
very short, and will soon be over. Now
is the time, while the four angels are
holding the four winds, to make our
calling and election sure."—"Early writ-
ings," page 58.
"The return of Christ to our world
will not be long delayed. Let this be
the keynote of every message."—"Testi-
monies," Vol. 6, p. 406.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 6, pp.
404, 405.
4—A4QT.72
51
The Nature of the Signs
LESSON 7
Part 3
LIMITATION:
UNKNOWN DAY
Matt. 24:36-39
Tuesday
November 14
110- In what way are the time of Noah and the second
advent alike?
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not
the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days
of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they
were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in mar•
riage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and
knew not until the flood came, and took them all away;
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
The purpose of the signs which Jesus gave was to reveal the
approach of the second advent, but the precise time of Hie
appearance was to remain unknown. As the time of arrival of
the Flood was unknown to the antedeluvians, so no one know;
the day and hour of the second advent. "Again and again have
I been warned in regard to time-setting. There will never again
be a message for the people of God that will be based on time
We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ."—Ellen G
White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6, p. 1052.
P. What response did Jesus give to the disciples' ques•
tion about establishment of-the kingdom? Acts 1:6, 7.
"It was not necessary for them to see farther into the future
than the revelations He had made enabled them to see. Theis
work was to proclaim the gospel message."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 30.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are some reasons that God has not revealec
the exact time of the second advent?
"A great work must be done all
through the world, and let no one con-
clude that, because the end is near,
there is no need of special effort to
build up the various institutions as the
cause shall demand. You are not to
know the day or the hour of the Lord's
appearing, for this has not been re-
vealed, and let none speculate on that
which has not been given him to un-
derstand. Let everyone work upon that
which has been placed in his hands,
doing the daily duties that God re-
quires.
"When the Lord shall bid us make nc
further effort to build meetinghouse
and establish schools, sanitariums, anc
publishing institutions, it will be time
for us to fold our hands and let the
Lord close up the work
;
but now is oui
opportunity to show our zeal for Goc
and our love for humanity. . . .
"The end is near, and for this reasor
we are to make the most of every en•
trusted ability and every agency thai
shall offer help to the work."—"Testi•
monies," Vol. 6, p. 440.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Selected Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 188, 189, 191,
192.
52
Part 4
WATCHING
REQUIRED
Matt. 24:40-42
THINK IT THROUGH
Wednesday
November 15
II.
Because the hour of the advent is unknown, what
counsel does Jesus give?
"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,
and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the
mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch
therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth
come."
Jesus continues the thought of men not knowing the time
of the advent in the two brief illustrations of two persons work-
ing together, and also introduces the idea of a judgment—one
taken and one left.
In the absence of knowledge about the time of an important
event, the logical course is to watch for it. When an important
personage travels in a motorcade through a city, the precise
time of the arrival of the motorcade at any point is unknown.
People line the route and watch for the arrival of the important
personage. To go shopping and fail to watch is to miss the
parade.
"Jesus has told His disciples to 'watch,' but not for a
definite time. His followers are to be in the position of those
who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are
to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for
the coming of the Lord; but no one will be able to predict just
when that time will come; for 'of that day and hour knoweth
no man.' You will not be able to say that He will come in one,
two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by
stating that it may not be for ten or twenty
years."—Evan-
gelism,
page 221.
116.- With what does Jesus contrast watching? Mark 13:35,
36.
"The attitude of watching is to designate the church as
God's people indeed. By this sign the waiting ones are dis-
tinguished from the world and show that they are pilgrims
and strangers upon the
earth."—Testimonies,
Vol.
2,
p. 205.
What is the
meaning
of wate.hinsi .
r
awaiting the advent?
The Nature of the Signs
LESSON 7
"We are today to watch that we
offend not in word or deed. We must
today praise and honor God. By the
exercise of living faith today we are
to conquer the enemy. We must today
seek God and be determined that we
will not rest satisfied without His pres-
ence. We should watch and work and
pray as though this were the last day
tRCt would be granted us. How in-
tensely earnest, then, would be our
life. How closely would we follow Jesus
in all our words and deeds."—"Testi-
monies," Vol. 5, p. 200.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 2, pp. 190-193.
53
Part 5
LIMITATION:
UNEXPECTED HOUR
Matt. 24:43
Thursday
November 16
la- Under what circumstances would the householder
have watched for the thief?
The Nature of the Signs
LESSON 7
"But know this, that if the goodman of the house had
known in what watch the thief would come, he would
have watched, and would not have suffered his house
to be broken up."
The householder had no information that a thief was com-
ing, and one doesn't stay awake at night watching for a thief
he doesn't expect. But Jesus had said (verse
33)
that it could
be known that He was coming and when He was near. The
lesson is by contrast. If the householder had as much informa-
tion about the thief as the believer has about Christ's advent,
he would have watched. It is prudent for the believer to watch.
to- Who does Paul say will be taken by surprise when
the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night? Who
will not be surprised? 1 Thess. 5:2-6.
"The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people
of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day
of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful
warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no
one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised.
Let no one's interpretation of prophecy rob you of the convic-
tion of the knowledge of events which show that this great
event is near at hand.
"—Fundamentals of Christian Education,
page
336.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I avoid surprise by either the close of pro-
bation or the actual appearing of Jesus?
"When the work of the investigative
be in that hour the Judge of all the
judgment closes, the destiny of all will
earth will pronounce the sentence,
have been decided for life or death.
'Thou art weighed in the balance, and
Probation is ended a short time before
art found wanting.'
the appearing of the Lord in the clouds
"Silently, unnoticed as the midnight
of heaven. . . . Perilous is the condi-
thief, will come the decisive hour which
tion of those who, growing weary of marks the fixing of every man's des-
their watch, turn to the attractions of
tiny, the final withdrawal of mercy's
the world. While the man of business
offer to guilty men. 'Watch ye there-
is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while
fore . . . lest coming suddenly he find
the pleasure-lover is seeking indul-
you sleeping.'"—Ellen G. White, "Sons
gence, while the daughter of fashion
and Daughters of God," page 355.
is arranging her adornments,—it may
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 489-491.
54
Part 6
READINESS
REQUIRED
Matt. 24:44
111
Friday
November 17
What conclusion did Jesus draw from the story of the
householder?
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as
ye think not the Son of man cometh."
"I ask you, Is the kingdom of God within you? God's
people are to be minutemen, always ready, always composed
in Jesus Christ. The time is now come when one moment we
may be on solid earth, the next the earth may be heaving
beneath our feet. Earthquakes will take place where least
expected....
"Christianity—oh, that we might experience its operations!
It is a vital, personal experience, that elevates and ennobles the
whole man. Every man is responsible to God, who has made
provision for all to receive this blessing. But many do not
receive it, although Christ has purchased it for them at infinite
cost."—Testimonies to Ministers,
pages 421, 422.•
The signs show that advent near, but since the day is un-
known and the hour will be unexpected, Jesus says that watch-
ing and readiness are essential. The signs were all that the dis-
ciples requested, but Jesus taught that there must be a personal
watchfulness and readiness for the advent.
The Nature of the Signs
LESSON 7
IP
,
- What is the readiness required to meet Jesus at the
advent? Matt.
22:1 1 .
"It is impossible for man to save himself. He may deceive
himself in regard to this matter, but he cannot save himself.
Christ's righteousness alone can avail for his salvation, and this
is the gift of God. This is the wedding garment in which you
may appear as a welcome guest at the marriage' Supper of the
Lamb. Let faith take hold of Christ without delay, and you will
be a new creature in Jesus, a light to the
world."—Selected
Messages,
Bk. 1, p. 331.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I receive the righteousness of Christ?
"In order to be candidates for
the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and
heaven we must meet the require-
ment of the law: 'Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy
strength, and with all thy mind; and
thy neighbour as thyself' (Luke 10:27).
We can do this only as we grasp by
faith the righteousness of Christ. By
beholding Jesus we receive a living,
expanding principle in the heart, and
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Testimonies," Vol. 1, pp. 123-126.
55
the believer advances
advances from grace to
grace, from strength to strength, from
character to character. He conforms to
the image of Christ, until in spiritual
growth he attains unto the met
-
iii5T:e
of
ibe full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus
Christ makes an end of the curse of sin,
and sets the believing soul free from
its action and effect."—"Selected Mes-
sages," Bk. 1, p. 395.
LESSON 8
November 19-25
READY OR NOT READY?
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready
went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." Matt. 25:10.
Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins
in a sequence of teaching that began with
the signs of His coming in Matthew 24.
He stated there that the signs would indi-
cate that His coming was near, but the day
and hour would remain unknown. Because
the precise time of His coming would be
unknown, it would be necessary for be-
lievers to watch and be ready for His ad-
vent. He only stated that these were to be
the characteristics of those who would be
waiting, in the time of the signs, for the
advent; but in chapter 24 He did not ex-
plain what it means to watch and be
ready.
In the parable of the virgins Jesus dealt
with the latter idea first—what it means
to be ready. This parable was told espe-
cially for us who live in the time of the
signs but do not know the date of the
advent.
The story through which Jesus teaches
about being ready for His return is the
story of a wedding.
"A wedding party was one of the great-
est of all festivities in a Palestinian village.
The bride, groom, and 'guests were dis-
pensed from certain religious duties, such
as sleeping in booths at the feast of Taber-
nacles. Scholars forsook the study of the
Torah, because attending a wedding was
a more important duty and privilege."—
The Interpreter's Bible,
Vol. 7, p. 555.
A wedding is a happy, joyous occasion.
In relating the parable of the ten virgins,
or bridesmaids, Jesus used the wedding as
a symbol of His coming kingdom. He thus
56
taught that Christians are to face His com-
ing with the same gladness with which the
bride's friends look forward to her wed-
ding.
An article by Ellen G. White,
"Have You Oil in Your Vessels With
Your Lamps?" appears on pages 63-
65 of this quarterly. It was origi-
nally published in the
Review and
Herald
and is reprinted here for
reading in conjunction with this
week's lesson.
LESSON OUTLINE
Central Teaching
Matt. 25:1-4
2.
The Oil
Zech. 4:2, 3, 6
3.
Oil in Lamps
Matt. 25:1; Ps. 119:105
4.
Oil and Crisis
Matt. 25:5-9
5.
Oil and Acceptance or Rejection
Matt. 25:10-12
6.
Have You Oil in Your Vessels
With Your Lamps?
Matt. 25:13
leady or Not Ready?
LESSON 8
Sunday
November
19
Part 1
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto
CENTRAL ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to
TEACHING meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and
Matt. 25:1-4 five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps,
and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their
vessels with their lamps."
Whom do the ten virgins and the bridegroom repre-
sent? To answer this question note the circumstances of
these persons in Matt. 25:1, 6 and then find these same
circumstances in Matthew 24 and note what persons are
mentioned in relation to them.
la- What is the key feature of this parable? Matt. 25: 3, 4.
While all of the persons, articles, and circumstances in the
parable are essential to its understanding, the central feature is
the oil. The main thrust of teaching in the parable derives from
the circumstance of having or not having oil. To have oil is
wise; to lack oil is foolish. To have oil results in reception into
the wedding; to lack oil results in rejection by the master of
the feast. To have oil is to be ready; to lack oil is to be
unready. It follows then that the key question of interpreta-
tion of the parable is, "What does the oil mean?" To this
question we will direct our study tomorrow.
During this week we shall study this central core of truth—
the relation between what the oil represents and readiness for
the advent. This was the main thought which Jesus presented.
There are valuable secondary ideas in the parable, but these
will not be the content of this week's lesson.
THINK IT THROUGH
Read Matt. 25:1-12 several times, learn the details of
the parable, and reflect on it
,
in the light of Matthew 24.
"As Christ sat looking upon the party
that waited for the bridegroom, He told
His disciples the story of the ten vir-
gins, by their experience illustrating
the experience of the church that shall
live just before His second coming."
—"Christ's Object Lessons," page 406.
"When the ten virgins went forth to
meet the bridegroom, their lamps were
trimmed and burning. Apparently there
was
no
difference between the five who
were wise and the five who were fool-
ish. To outward appearance all were
prepared, robed in white, and carry-
ing their lighted lamps. But only five
of these virgins were wise. These an-
ticipated delay, and filled their flagons
with oil, ready for any emergency. Five
of the number had not this foresight;
they made no provision for disappoint-
ment or delay."—Ellen G. White, "Re-
view and Herald," Oct. 31, 1899.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 405, 406.
57
Ready or Not Ready?
LESSON 8
Monday
November 20
Part 2
THE OIL
Zech. 4:2, 3, 6
"And [he] said unto me, What seest thou? And I said,
I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with
a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon,
and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the
top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right
side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof."
"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is
the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by
might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts."
When Zechariah inquired the meaning of the vision of
lamps fed with oil from olive trees, he was given the straight-
forward message that Zerubbabel, leader of Judah, would suc-
ceed by God's Spirit.
In the Israelite sanctuary service a special anointing oil was
used for consecration of the tabernacle, furniture, and priests.
Everything touched by this oil was symbolically holy. See
Ex. 30:25-30. It is the Holy Spirit that makes men and places
holy.
The oil in the parable is "the informing Spirit of God which
prompts the works and quickens the faith, of which Spirit oil
is ever in Scripture the standing symbol."—Trench,
Notes on
the Parables of Our Lord,
page 197.
"The oil is a symbol of • the Holy
Spirit."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 407.
Bow
Another approach to interpreting the meaning of oil
is to ask, What is there that holds a central place in
Christian living equal to the place held by oil in the
experience of the ten virgins? Rom. 8:14-17.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the
role of the Spirit in the Christian life?
Since the oil is the Spirit, and the parable is for those
awaiting the advent, what is the implication for me?
"I am instructed to say to many pro-
ence of the love of God in the soul.
fessed believers, Unless you look upon When men and women give themselves
your religious experience in an alto-
unreservedly to the exercise of unsel-
gether different light than you have,
fish works, it is because the grace of
you are going to meet with keen dis-
Christ is in the heart, molding the life
appointment. The righteousness of
to his example. But if the heart is des-
Christ is revealed from faith to faith;
titute of the Spirit of God, if it does
that is, from your present faith to an
not possess the rich grace of God, there
increased understanding of that faith
is no oil in the vessel with the lamp,
which works by love and purifies the
there is no treasure
in
the earthen
soul. Those who endure trial for the
vessel."—Ellen G. White, "Review and
truth's sake, who make sacrifies to help
Herald," Sept. 17, 1908.
those in need, do so because of the pres-
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 407, 408.
58
Ready or Not Ready?
LESSON 8
Tuesday
November 21
Part 3
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto
OIL IN LAMPS ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to
Matt. 25:1; meet the bridegroom."
Ps. 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto
my path."
This word of God represented by the lamp is related to the
Bible, but it has a more specific meaning. The oil is in the
lamp. The oil is God's Spirit. The Spirit is not in inanimate
things, such as books, but abides in people. "Through the Holy
Spirit, God's word is a light as it becomes a transforming
power in the life of the receiver."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 414. The only way the Scriptures become a lighted lamp
is for the Christian to receive their teachings by the Holy
Spirit's aid and by the help of the same Spirit live the Word's
principles in the daily life.
By what means does the believer understand the truth
God has revealed? 1 Cor. 2:12.
"The more closely we adhere to the simplicity of truth, the
more surely do we comprehend its deep meaning. Then if the
heart is under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, it can say,
`The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understand-
ing to the simple' (Ps. 119:130). This means the word is inter-
preted by the Holy Spirit, not merely as perused by the student.
"It is not the mere letter of the words which gives the light
and the understanding, but the Word is in a special manner
written upon the heart, applied by the Holy Spirit."—Ellen
G. White,
In Heavenly Places,
page 139.
What is the meaning of an unlighted lamp?
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I receive a "supply" of the Holy Spirit which
is adequate to maintain the light of the Word in my life?
"Without the Spirit of God a knowl-
edge of His word is_of no avail. The
theory of
\
truth, unaccompanied by the
Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or
sanctify the heart. One may be famil-
iar with the commands and promises of
the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God
sets the truth home, the character will
not be transformed. Without the en-
lightenment of the Spirit, men will not
be able to distinguish truth from error,
and they will fall under the masterful
temptations of Satan."—"Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons," pages 408, 411.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Selected Messages," Bk. 1, p. 411; Bk. 2, p. 39.
59
Ready or Not Ready?
LESSON 8
Part 4
OIL AND CRISIS
Matt. 25:5-9
THINK IT THROUGH
Wednesday
November 22
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and
slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold,
the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all
those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the
foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our
lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not
so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye
rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."
All ten girls started out with lighted lamps—that is, a life
apparently in harmony with the Bible and led by the Spirit.
Outwardly the same, they were inwardly dissimilar.
The difference was in the quantity of oil that each group
had, that is, the extent to which each was indwelt by the
Spirit.
It was noted in yesterday's study that the lighted lamp
represented a believer living out the principles of the Bible by
the Spirit's aid. The foolish virgins, then, must represent those
who do not continue to live by the Word and the Spirit, but
have retained the form of religious faith, as evidenced by the
nearly empty lamp.
In the parable the oil could not be obtained quickly enough
to benefit the foolish virgins. Since this is speaking of human
experience with the Spirit, it teaches us that when the Spirit
of God has been neglected He cannot be quickly reaccepted.
Not because the Spirit is unwilling to return, but because
human character becomes set and a person cannot in a moment
change that which a lifetime of neglect has made him. Readi-
ness for the advent must be perpetual—not a last-minute,
frantic search for the grace of God.
Why did the wise virgins not share their supply of oil
with those whose lamps were going out? Answer from
the standpoint of spiritual experience. See Ezek. 14:14.
"Every specification of this parable
should be carefully studied. We are
represented either by the wise or by
the foolish virgins. There are many who
will not remain at_ the_feet of Jesus,
and learn of him. They have not a
knowledge of his ways; they are not
prepared for his coming. They have
made a pretense of waiting for their
Lord. They have not watched and
prayed with that faith which works by
love and purifies the soul. They have
lived a life of carelessness. They have
heard and assented to the truth, but
they have never brought it into their
practical life. The oil of grace is not
feeding their lamps, and they are not
prepared to enter into the marriage
supper of the Lamb. The oil is the holy
grace that is sent from heaven; and
there must be an inward adorning with
that grace, if we would stand when he
appears."—Ellen G. White, "Review and
Herald," Oct. 31, 1899.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 411, 412.
60
Part 5
OIL AND
ACCEPTANCE
OR REJECTION
Matt. 25:10-12
THINK IT THROUGH
Thursday
November 23
"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;
and they that were ready went in with him to the mar-
riage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the
other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he an-
swered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not."
The five wise virgins went into the wedding because they
had oil in reserve to refill their lamps. The believer will be
ready for the advent because he has permitted the Holy Spirit
to fill him and accomplish a deep and lasting work beyond
that which was necessary to make him appear to men to be
a Christian.
It was because the five foolish virgins lacked oil that they
were not present when the wedding began. This represents
professed believers who, lacking the Holy Spirit, will be ex-
cluded from Christ's kingdom.
Its How shall we receive the Spirit? Gal. 3:2, 5, 14.
"Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which is brought into
the soul through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who earnestly
search the Scriptures with much prayer, who rely upon God
with
hrm
-
ra'ffE who obey His commandments,
-
WillThe among
those who are represented as wise virgins."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
Sept. 17, 1895.
"Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those
words of doom, 'I know you not.' The fellowship of the Spirit
[represented by the oil], which you have slighted, could alone
make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In
that scene you cannot participate. Its light would fall on
blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could
awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You
are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its com-
panionship."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 413..
What is meant by the master of the feast not knowing
the five foolish virgins? In what way does God not know
a person?
Ready or Not Ready?
LESSON 8
be upon us, and the Captain of the
Lord's host will stand at the head of the
angels of heaven to direct the battle."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
"SDA Bi-
ble
Commentary," Vol. 7, p.
982.
"The battle of Armageddon will be
fought, and that day must find none
of us sleeping. Wide awake we must
be, as wise virgins having oil in our
vessels with our lamps. . . .
"The power of the Holy Ghost must
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Testimonies to Ministers," pages
128-131.
61
Part 6
HAVE YOU OIL
IN YOUR VESSELS
WITH YOUR LAMPS?
Matt. 25:13
Friday
November 24
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the
hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
Because the date of the coming of Jesus is unknown,
the believer must be always ready by being filled with
the oil of the Spirit.
Ready or Not Ready?
LESSON 8
What is the source of eternal life for the believer?
Gal. 6:8.
"Now is the time to entreat that souls shall not only hear
the word of God, but without delay secure oil in their vessels
with their lamps. That oil is the righteousness of Christ. It
represents character, and character is not transferable. No man
can secure it for another. Each must obtain for himself a char-
acter purified from every stain of
sin."—Testimonies to Minis-
ters,
pages 233, 234.
The oil of the parable has been identified in this week's
lesson in three ways—grace, Spirit, and the righteousness of
Christ. This is not contradictory. It is expressive of three ways
of looking at God's work for man. It is the oil of grace because
the Spirit is undeserved; it is the oil of the Spirit because the
Spirit is the direct means by which salvation is accomplished;
it is the oil of the righteousness of Christ because the Spirit's
presence in man is the reason for imputing, and the means of
imparting, Christ's character to the believer. "The Holy Spirit
in the heart of the believer, makes him complete in Christ."
—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
Sept. 17, 1895.
This parable teaches that it is foolish to neglect to be filled
with the Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ, for it will result in
exclusion from the kingdom; it is wise to have faith in Jesus
Christ and thus be filled with the Spirit, for it will result in
acceptance into the kingdom.
THINK IT THROUGH
Am I wise or foolish? Review what it means to be
ready for the coming of Jesus.
"What is our position in the world?
We are in the waiting time. But this
period is not to be spent in abstract
devotion. Waiting, watching, and vigi-
lant working are to be combined. Our
life should not be all bustle and drive
and planning about the things of the
world, to the neglect of personal piety
and of the service that God requires.
While we should not be slothful in busi-
ness, we should be fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord. The lamp of the soul
must be trimmed, and we must have
the oil of grace in our vessels with our
lamps. Every precaution must be used
to prevent spiritual declension, lest the
day of the Lord overtake us as a thief."
—"Testimonies," Vol. 5, p. 276.
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages
413-421.
62
Have You Oil in Your Vessels With Your Lamps?
"Though five of these virgins are
represented as wise and five as foolish,
all had lamps. They had all been con-
victed that they must prepare for the
coming of the bridegroom, and all had
gained a knowledge of the truth. There
was no apparent difference between
the wise and the foolish until the cry
was made, 'Behold, the bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet him;' but the
true state of things was then devel-
oped. The wise had taken precautions
to carry oil with them in their vessels,
so that their lamps that were begin-
ning to burn dimly might be replen-
ished with oil; but the foolish had not
provided for this emergency, and now
they made an earnest, distressed peti-
tion to those who were wise. 'And the
foolish said unto the wise, Give us of
your oil; for our lamps are gone out.'
They had neglected to prepare them-
selves to meet the bridegroom, and
now turned to those who had provided
themselves with oil. 'But the wise an-
swered, saying, Not so; lest there be
not enough for us and you; but go ye
rather to them that sell, and buy for
yourselves.'
"In reading this parable one cannot
but pity the foolish virgins, and ask the
question, Why is it that the wise did
not divide their supply of oil? But as
we make the spiritual application of
the parable, we can see the reason. It is
not possible for those who have faith
and grace to divide their supply with
those who have not. It is not possible
for those who have made a thorough
heart work, to impart the benefit of this
to those who have done but surface
work. The parable is designed to point
out the peril of doing a surface work.
Many profess to be Christians, and for
a time their half-heartedness is not dis-
cerned. The difference between them
and those who are truly pious is not
made apparent. This parable should
awaken solemn reflections. Consider-
ing it we should ask ourselves, Are we
doers of the words of Christ? Are we
building on the rock? Are we, in our
probationary time, making our calling
and election sure? We should not
soothe our consciences in expectation
of heaven, when we are not bearing
the distinguishing characteristics of the
Christian life. Paul says, 'examine your-
selves, whether ye be in the faith;
prove your own selves. Know ye not
your own selves, how that Jesus Christ
is in you, except ye be reprobates?'
"All the ten virgins appeared to be
ready for the coming of the bride-
groom, and yet the test brought out the
fact that five were unready. Those who
have true piety esteem and revere the
law of God. Through the grace of Christ
they exemplify the principles of the law
in their lives, and will not willfully
break any of the commandments of
God. They realize that 'to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to hearken than the
fat of rams.' They yield to Christ, who
leads men to repentance of sin, who
pardons the penitent soul, and clothes
him with his own righteousness. The
converted soul has a hatred of sin; he
does not indulge in self-complacency,
self-love, self-sufficiency, nor pass on
day after day, claiming to be a Chris-
tian, and yet bringing dishonor upon
Christ by misrepresenting him in char-
acter. Those who make this mistake,
and pass on filled with self-righteous-
ness, have not in reality made the first
step heavenward. The first step toward
heaven is conviction of sin, the second
is repentance and obedience. True piety
never exalts self.
"The foolish virgins do not represent
those who are hypocritical. They had a
regard for truth, they advocated the
truth, they were intending to go forth
to meet the bridegroom. They are at-
tached to those who believe the truth,
and go with them, having lamps, which
represent a knowledge of the truth.
When there was a revival in the church,
63
their feelings were stirred; but they
failed to have oil in their vessels, be-
cause they did not bring the principles
of godliness into their daily life and
character. They did not fall upon the
rock Christ Jesus, and permit their old
nature to be broken up. This class is rep-
resented also by the stony-ground hear-
ers. Christ said: 'Behold, a sower went
forth to sow; and when he sowed, some
seeds fell by the wayside; and the
fowls came and devoured them up;
some fell upon stony places, where
they had not much earth; and forthwith
they sprung up, because they had no
deepness of earth.' Jesus explains these
stonyground hearers, and says, 'But he
that received the seed into stony places,
the same is he that heareth the word,
and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath
he not root in himself, but dureth for
awhile; for when tribulation or perse-
cution ariseth because of the word, by
and by he is offended.'
"Many receive the truth readily, but
they fail to assimilate truth, and its
influence is not abiding. They are like
the foolish virgins, who had no oil in
their vessels with their lamps. Oil is a
symbol of the Holy Spirit, which is
brought into the soul through faith in
Jesus Christ. Those who earnestly
search the Scriptures with much prayer,
who rely upon God with firm faith, who
obey his commandments, will be
among those who are represented as
wise virgins. The teachings of the word
of God are not yea and nay, but yea
and amen. The requirement of the gos-
pel is far-reaching. Says the apostle,
'Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giv-
ing thanks to God and the Father by
him.' Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God.' Practical piety will
not be attained by giving the grand
truths of the Bible a place in the outer
courts of the heart. The religion of the
Bible must be brought into the large
and the little affairs of life. It must
furnish the powerful motives and prin-
64
ciples that will regulate the Christian's
character and course of action.
"Human nature is depraved, and is
justly condemned by a holy God. But
provision is made for the repenting
sinner, so that by faith in the atone-
ment of the only begotten Son of God,
he may receive forgiveness of sin, find
justification, receive adoption into the
heavenly family, and become an in-
heritor of the kingdom of God. Trans-
formation of character is wrought
through the operation of the Holy
Spirit, which works upon the human
agent, implanting in him, according to
his desire and consent to have it done,
a new nature. The image of God is
restored to the soul, and day by day
he is strengthened and renewed by
grace, and is enabled more and more
perfectly to reflect the character of
Christ in righteousness and true holi-
ness.
"The oil so much needed by those
who are represented as foolish virgins,
is not something to be put on the out-
side. They need to bring the truth into
the sanctuary of the soul, that it may
cleanse, refine, and sanctify. It is not
theory that they need; it is the sacred
teachings of the Bible, which are not
uncertain, disconnected doctrines, but
are living truths, that involve eternal
interests that center in Christ. In him
is the complete system of divine truth.
The salvation of the soul, through faith
in Christ, is the ground and pillar of
the truth. Those who exercise true faith
in Christ make it manifest by holiness
of character, by obedience to the law
of God. They realize that the truth as
it is in Jesus reaches heaven, and com-
passes eternity. They understand that
the Christian's chciFtiEle7
--
s1;;;TTcri-dpre-
sent_the character of Chrisr
citicrb
e full
of grace and truth. To them is imparted
the oil of grace, which sustains a never-
failing light. The Holy Spirit in the heart
of the believer, makes him complete in
Christ. It is not a decided evidence that
a man or a woman is a Christian be-
cause he manifests deep emotion when
under exciting circumstances. He who
is Christlike has a deep, determined,
persevering element in his soul, and
yet has a sense of his own weakness,
and is not deceived and misled by the
Devil, and made to trust in himself.
He has a knowledge of the word of
God, and knows that he is safe only
as he places his hand in the hand of
Jesus Christ, and keeps firm hold upon
him.
"Character is revealed by a crisis.
When the earnest voice proclaimed at
midnight, 'Behold, the bridegroom com-
eth; go ye out to met him,' the sleeping
virgins roused from their slumbers, and
it was seen who had made preparation
for the event. Both parties were taken
unawares, but one was prepared for
the emergency, and the other was
found without preparation. Character
is revealed by circumstances. Emergen-
cies bring out the true metal of charac-
ter. Some sudden and unlooked-for
calamity, bereavement, or crisis, some
unexpected sickness or anguish, some-
thing that brings the soul face to face
with death, will bring out the true in-
wardness of the character. It will be
made manifest whether or not there
is any real faith in the promises of the
word of God. It will be made manifest
whether or not the soul is sustained by
grace, whether there is oil in the vessel
with the lamp.
"Testing times come to all. How do
we conduct ourselves under the test
and proving of God? Do our lamps go
out? or do we still keep them burning?
Are we prepared for every emergency
by our connection with Him who is full
of grace and truth? The five wise vir-
gins could not impart their character
to the five foolish virgins. Character
must be formed by us as individuals. It
cannot be transferred to another, even
if the possessor were willing to make
the sacrifice. There is much we can do
for each other while mercy still lingers.
We can represent the character of
Christ. We can give faithful warnings
to the erring. We can reprove, rebuke,
with all long-suffering and doctrine,
bringing the doctrines of Holy Writ
home to the heart. We can give heart-
felt sympathy. We can pray with and
for one another. By living a circumspect
life, by maintaining a holy conversa-
tion, we may give an example of what
a Christian should be; but no person
can give to another his own mold of
character. Let us duly consider the fact
that we are to be saved, not as com-
panies, but as individuals. We shall
be judged according to the character
we have formed. It is perilous to ne-
glect to prepare the soul for eternity,
and to put off making our peace with
God until upon a dying bed. It is by
the daily transactions of life, by the
spirit we manifest, that we determine
our eternal destiny. He who is faithful
in that which is least, is faithful also in
much. If we have made Christ our pat-
tern, if we have walked and worked
as he has given us an example in his
own life, we shall be able to meet the
solemn surprises that will come upon us
in our experience, and say from our
heart, 'Not my will, but thine, be done.'
"It is in probationary time, the time
is which we are living, that we should
calmly contemplate the terms of sal-
vation, and live according to the condi-
tions laid down in the word of God. We
should educate and train ourselves,
hour by hour and day by day, by care-
ful discipline, to perform every duty.
We should become acqainted with God
and with Jesus Christ whom he has
sent. In every trial it is our privilege to
draw upon him who has said, 'Let him
take hold of my strength, that he may
make peace with me; and he shall
make peace with me.' The Lord says he
is more willing to give us the Holy
Spirit than parents are to give bread to
their children. Then let us have the oil
of grace in our vessels with our lamps,
that we may not be found among those
who are represented as foolish virgins,
who were not prepared to go forth to
meet the bridegroom."—Ellen G. White,
"Review and Herald," Sept. 17, 1895.
65
LESSON 9
November 26 to December
2
WATCHING OR NOT WATCHING?
9
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord." Matt. 25 :21.
The parable of the virgins taught, as we
studied last week, what it means for the
believer •to be ready for Jesus' coming. Be-
cause this readiness is for an event of
unknown date, it is not only a matter of
getting ready but also of remaining ready
for Jesus' coming. It was on this point
that the foolish virgins failed. Jesus con-
cluded from the parable that watching was
necessary also (Matt. 25:13), and this idea
is the transition thought between the par-
ables of the virgins and of the talents. In
the parable of the talents "He showed what
it means to watch for His coming."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 325.
In the parable of the virgins the time of
waiting for the advent was empty—the girls
were sleeping. But in the parable of the
talents it is this empty place that is now
filled in. It teaches what the disciple is to
be doing while he watches for his Lord's
return.
"While the virgins were represented as
waiting
for their Lord, we have here the
servants
working
for Him. There the in-
ward spiritual life of the faithful was de-
scribed, here their external activity. There,
by the fate of the foolish virgins, we were
warned against negligence and decays in
the inner life; here, by the doom of the
slothful servant, against indolence in our
outward vocation and work. That parable
enforced the need of keeping the heart with
all diligence; this of putting all diligence
also into our outward service, if we would
give our account with joy and not with
sorrow. Very fitly, therefore, the other
66
precedes, and this follows, since the main-
tenance of the life of God in the heart is
the sole condition of a profitable outward
activity for the kingdom of God."—Trench,
Notes on the Parables of Our Lord,
page
209.
An article by Ellen G. White,
"Workers With God," appears on
pages 73-75 of this quarterly. It
was originally published in the
Re-
view and Herald
and is reprinted
here for reading in conjunction with
this week's lesson.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Central Teaching
Matt. 25:14, 15, 19
2.
The Meaning of the Talents
Mark 1:14, 15; 16:15
3.
The Distribution of the Talents
Matt. 25:14, 15
4.
The Increase of the Talents
Matt. 25:16-18
5.
The Accounting for Talents
Matt. 25:19-21
6.
To Have and to Have Not
Matt. 25:28, 29
Watching or Not Watching?
LESSON 9
Sunday
November
26
Part 1
CENTRAL TEACHING
Matt. 25:14, 15, 19
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into
a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered
unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to
another two, and to another one; to every man accord-
ing to his several ability; and straightway took his jour-
ney." "After a long time the lord of those servants cometh,
and reckoneth with them."
Whom do the master and servants represent? Read
Acts 1:8-11 and compare it with the parable.
What is the key feature of this parable? Matt. 25:15,
20.
All of the details of the parable are essential to making the
story, but the teaching of the parable hinges on the talents. It is
how the servants relate themselves to the talents that deter-
mines their destinies. To have an increase of talents is com-
mendable; to have no increase of talents is reprehensible. To
have increase is reason for promotion; to have no increase is
reason for discharge from duty. To have increase is to have
watched; to have no increase is not to have watched.
THINK IT THROUGH
Read Matt. 25:13-30 twice, learn the details of the
parable, and reflect on it in the light of Matthew 24.
"The parable of the talents should
receive prayerful, critical attention. By
it we are shown the importance of trad-
ing diligently and conscientiously on
our Lord's goods. Not one thread of
selfishness is to be woven into his work.
Worldly ambition is not to be cherished.
We are to keep self out of sight, hold-
ing Christ before the world. We are to
bring glory to God by doing our best to
"Christ gave the parable of the tal-
ents to show us that all the blessings we
have come from God. Our gifts belong
to him. They are not to be used accord-
ing to human judgment, but according
to the directions given in God's Word.
We are to study how we may use these
gifts for the up-building of the cause
of truth."—Ellen G. White, "Review and
Herald," June 27, 1907.
be perfect men and perfect women.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 325, 326.
67
Watching or Not Watching?
LESSON 9
Monday
November 27
Part 2 D What business of Jesus Christ was placed in the hands
THE MEANING of His servants just before His ascension?
OF THE TALENTS
Mark 1:14, 15; 16:15
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came
into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God
is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature."
As it was the business of the man in the parable to invest
money, so it is the business of Jesus Christ to preach the gospel
to the people of this world. As the master went on a journey,
so Jesus has gone to His Father. As the master returned, so
will Jesus return. But what is the equivalent in experience of
the talents in the parable?
The talents of the parable should not be confused with the
present-day usage of talent as ability. The talents given to the
servants were money. A worker today working at minimum
wage would earn about $75,000 in the time that a worker in
the first century would earn the equivalent of one talent. Thus,
even the man with one talent was given a considerable sum of
money. The man with five talents received a sum equivalent to
about $375,000. These talents, money, were the medium through
which the servants conducted the master's business.
Go- What was the means provided by Jesus for doing the
work of the gospel? Acts 1:4, 8.
THINK IT THROUGH
"The talents that Christ entrusts to His church represent
especially the gifts and blessings imparted by the Holy Spirit."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 327. But the talents given re-
quired the action of the servants to secure increase.
In this week's lesson we will study this main idea of the
parable—the Holy Spirit and the cooperation of the believer in
doing the work of the gospel.
What is the role of the Spirit in Christian work and
activity?
"The tastes are to be elevated, the
Lord claims all the service which any
appetite subdued, by those who are human being, aided and enriched by
seeking for the eternal inheritance, a
divine grace, can render; and to with-
life which measures with the life of
hold this from Him is robbery."—Ellen
God. The gospel demands an unre-
G. White, "Review and Herald," April
served surrender of body and soul, with
9, 1901.
all their energies and capabilities. The
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 327, 328.
68
Part 3
THE DISTRIBUTION
OF THE TALENTS
Matt. 25:14, 15
Tuesday
November
28
IP-
What determined the amount of money entrusted to
each servant?
Watching or Not Watching?
LESSON 9
"For the kingdom of heaven is
-
as a man travelling
into a far country, who called his own servants, and de-
livered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five
talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man
according to his several ability; and straightway took
his journey."
If the talents were interpreted as representing human abili-
ties, a problem is created: The talents were distributed accord-
ing to ability, which would then be saying that each man re-
ceives ability according .to his ability. Such a statement has
no meaning. But are not human abilities the means of preaching
the gospel? Yes, but only partially.
"The special gifts of the Spirit are not the only talents rep-
resented in the parable. It includes all gifts and endowments,
whether original or acquired, natural or spiritual. All are to be
employed in Christ's service. In becoming His dgaiiles, we
surrender ourselves to Hihi with all that we are and have.
These gifts He returns to us purified and ennobled, to be used
for His glory in blessing our fellow
men."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 328.
From the above quotation it becomes clear that it is neces-
sary to think of two kinds of abilities—the natural abilities
that one possesses as a human being and the human abilities
that are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The talents do not rep-
resent the human ability that every person in the world has.
This is a parable of servants of Jesus Christ whose human
ability has been surrendered to Him. He sanctifies this ability
by the Holy Spirit and returns it to the Christian believer to be
used in doing His work. To receive talents according to ability
then must mean that the amount of sanctified ability that a
person receives is equal to the amount of natural ability that
he possesses.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is sanctified ability? How does it differ from
human, natural ability?
"It is only when brought under full
control of the Spirit of God that the tal-
ents of an individual are rendered use-
ful to the fullest extent. The precepts
and principles of religion are the first
steps in the acquisition of knowledge,
and lie at the very foundation of true
education. Knowledge and science must
be vitalized by the Spirit of God in
order to serve the noblest purposes.
The Christian alone can make the right
use of knowledge. Science, in order to
be fully appreciated, must be viewed
from a religious standpoint. The heart
which is ennobled by the grace of God
can best comprehend the real value of
education."—"Testimonies," Vol. 4, p.
427.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 329-332.
69
Watching or Not Watching?
LESSON 9
Part 4
THE INCREASE
OF THE TALENTS
Matt. 25:16-18
[I] Wednesday
November 29
What were the two types of results of the entrusted
money?
"Then he that had received the five talents went and
traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained
other two. But he that had received one went and digged
in the earth, and hid his lord's money."
The parable here teaches us that in doing the work of
Christ with sanctified ability there is an increase of sanctified
ability. This is possible not only because from a human stand-
point "practice makes perfect," but because the human being
and the Holy Spirit are in cooperation. Thus there is power
from outside of man working in him to make him more com-
petent in Christ's work than he was at the beginning or could
ever become by his own unaided effort.
The man who hid his money in the earth is not a world-
ling. He is one who has surrendered his life to Christ, or he
would have received no talent. Christ has worked in his life,
but his problem is that he did not continue by cooperating with
the Spirit in doing Christ's work. There was no increase. The
money was hid in the earth for safekeeping. His sanctified
ability was absorbed by the world, and not by the kingdom
of Jesus Christ. And the world's methods cannot increase sanc-
tified ability.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the responsibility of the person for the in-
crease of the abilities God has given?
"Talents used are talents multiplied.
Success is not the result of chance or of
destiny; it is the outworking of God's
own providence, the reward of faith
and discretion, of virtue and persever-
ing effort. The Lord desires us to use
every gift we have; and if we do this,
we shall have greater gifts to use. He
does not supernaturally endow us with
the qualifications we lack; but while
we use that which we have, He will
work with us to increase and strengthen
every faculty. By every wholehearted,
earnest sacrifice for the Master's service
our powers will increase. While we
yield ourselves as instruments for the
Holy Spirit's working, the grace of God
works in us to deny old inclinations, to
overcome powerful propensities, and to
form new habits. As we cherish and
obey the promptings of the Spirit, our
hearts are enlarged to receive more
and more of His power, and to do more
and better work. Dormant energies are
aroused, and palsied faculties receive
new life."—"Christ's Object Lessons,"
pages 353, 354.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 353-355.
70
Watching or Not Watching?
LESSON 9
Thursday
November 30
Part 5
THE ACCOUNTING
FOR TALENTS
Matt. 25:19-21
THINK IT THROUGH
"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh,
and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received
five talents came and brought other five talents, saying,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have
gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto
him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
(Read also Matt. 25:22-28.)
The return of the master corresponds to the return of Jesus
at the unknown time. What each servant presents to the master
is the initial gift and the increase of sanctified ability. In actual
experience this has been accomplished through the Spirit, and
it is this fact that makes the subsequent welcome into the king-
dom the result of righteousness by faith. "All that He claims
from us we through divine grace can
render."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 362.
"It is the faithfulness, the loyalty to God, the loving sskylce,
that wins the divine approval. Every impulse of the
-
Holy
Spirit leading men to goodness and to God, is noted in the
books of heaven, and in the day of God the workers through
whom He has wrought will be commended."—Ibid., p. 361.
The man without increase did everything from a self-centered
viewpoint. He was not concerned for his master's business, but
for his own standing with the master. To use Christ's gifts
selfishly is a contradiction. But the one-talent servant tried to
overcome the contradiction by stressing preservation of his
ability instead of increase; his work, instead of the Spirit's
work in him. On this basis he was seeking the kingdom by
self-righteousness, and the master excluded him.
What is the relationship between the work for the
Master and acceptance into the kingdom? Think care-
fully.
in the church. There can be no such
thing as a lazy Christian, though there
are many indolent professors of Chris-
tianity. While Christ's followers will
realize their own weakness, they will
cry earnestly to God for strength, that
they may be workers together with
him. They will constantly seek to be-
come better men and better women,
that they may more faithfully perform
the work which he has committed to
their hands."—Ellen G. White, "Review
and Herald," Jan. 19, 1886.
"At the final day, we shall be ap-
proved or condemned according to our
works. The Judge of all the earth will
render a just decision. He will not be
bribed; he cannot be deceived. He who
made man, and whose are the worlds
and all the treasures they contain—he
it is who weighs character in the bal-
ance of eternal justice.
"Would that we as a people might
realize how much is pending upon our
earnestness and fidelity in the service
of Christ. All who realize their account-
ability to God, will be burden-bearers
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages
360-364.
71
Part 6
TO HAVE AND
TO HAVE NOT
Matt. 25:28, 29
THINK IT THROUGH
Friday
December 1
"Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto
him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath
shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from
him that hath not shall be taken away even that which
he hath."
This text may sound puzzling, but if interpreted in the con-
text it is clear. That which the faithful servants had which the
unfaithful had not was increase of money. All who had an
increase were given rewards. The one without increase to all
intents and purposes had nothing at all, for the results to the
master were the same as if he had had nothing. From the stand-
point of Christian experience there is a sense in which he never
even had the one talent. He never made it his own by use. He
was so loosely attached to the sanctified ability that it can be
said he didn't have it; but it had been given to him, and so
it can also be said that he did have it.
This parable teaches us that faithful watching for the advent
is self-development through the Spirit to God's glory, and it
will result in eternal life; unfaithful watching for the advent
is neglect of self-development through the Spirit to God's glory,
and it will result in destruction.
What is the significance of the statement that the ser-
vant with ten talents benefited from the talent taken away
from the unfaithful servant?
Watching or Not Watching?
LESSON 9
the pure atmosphere of love that per-
vades heaven. The voices of the angels
and the music of their harps would not
satisfy them. To their minds the science
of heaven would be as an enigma.
"In the great judgment day those
who have not worked for Christ, those
who have drifted along, carrying no
responsibility, thinking of themselves,
pleasing themselves, will be placed by
the Judge of all the earth with those
who did evil. They receive the same
condemnation."--"Christ's Object Les-
sons," pages 364, 365.
"Employed to bless others, his gifts
increase. Shut up to self-serving they
diminish, and are finally withdrawn.
He who refuses to impart that which he
has received will at last find that he has
nothing to give. He is consenting to a
process that surely dwarfs and finally
destroys the faculties of the soul.
"Let none suppose that they can live
a life of selfishness, and then, having
served their own interests, enter into
the joy of their Lord. In the joy of un-
selfish love they could not participate.
They would not be fitted for the heav-
enly courts. They could not appreciate
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 364, 365.
72
Workers With God
"God's blessings are not bestowed
,
pon men independent of human ef-
ort. We see this principle illustrated in
he natural world. God has given us
he earth with its treasures. He causes
t to bring forth food for man and
)east, he sends the recurring seasons,
se gives the sunshine, the dew, and the
ain; yet man is required to act his
)art; he must co-operate with God's
)lan by diligent, painstaking effort. The
alough must break up the soil, the seed
rust be sown, the field must be tilled,
ar there will be no harvest.
"So in the spiritual world. All that
we possess, whether of talents, of in-
fluence, or of means, is of God; we can
accomplish nothing without divine aid.
Yet we are not released from the ne-
cessity of effort. While salvation is the
gift of God, man has a part to act in
the carrying out of the plan of redemp-
tion. God has chosen to use men as his
instruments, to employ human agencies
in the accomplishment of his purposes.
He has ordained to unite divine power
with human endeavor, in the work of
saving souls. Thus we become laborers
together with God. We have a grand
and important work, because it is a
part of God's great plan for the re-
demption of man. It is a high honor
bestowed upon finite beings thus to
co-operate with the Majesty of heaven.
"God is not dependent upon men for
the advancement of his cause. He might
have made angels the embassadors of
his truth. He might have made known
his will, as he proclaimed the law from
Sinai with his own voice. But in order
to cultivate a spirit of benevolence in
us, he has chosen to employ men to
do this work. Every act of self-sacrifice
for the good of others will strengthen
the spirit of beneficence in the giver's
heart, allying him more closely to the
Redeemer of the world, who 'was rich,
yet for our sakes became poor, that we
through his poverty might be rich.' And
it is only as we fulfill the divine pur-
pose in our creation that life can be
a blessing to us. All the good gifts of
God to man will prove only a curse,
unless he employs them to bless his
fellow men, and for the advancement
of God's cause in the earth.
"The spirit of benevolence is the
spirit of heaven. The spirit of selfish-
ness is the spirit of Satan. Christ's self-
sacrificing love is revealed upon the
cross. He gave all he had, and then
gave himself that man might be saved.
The cross of Christ appeals to the bene-
volence of every follower of the blessed
Saviour. The principle illustrated there
is to give, give. This carried out in good
works is the true fruit of the Christian
life. The principle of worldliness is to
get, get, and thus people expect to
secure happiness; but carried out in all
its bearings, its fruit is misery and
death.
"Selfishness is the strongest and most
general of human impulses, the strug-
gle of the soul between sympathy and
covetousness is an unequal contest; for
while selfishness is the strongest pas-
sion, love and benevolence are too
often the weakest, and as a rule the
evil gains the victory. Therefore in our
labors and gifts for God's cause, it is
unsafe to be controlled by feeling or
impulse. To give or to labor when our
sympathies are moved, and to withhold
our gifts or service when the emotions
are not stirred, is an unwise and dan-
gerous course. If we are controlled by
impulse or mere human sympathy, then
a few instances where our efforts for
others are repaid with ingratitude, or
where our gifts are abused or squan-
dered, will be sufficient to freeze up
the springs of beneficence.
"Christians should act from fixed
principle, following the Saviour's ex-
ample of self-denial and self-sacrifice.
What if Christ had left his work, becom-
ing weary because of the ingratitude
and abuse that met him on every side?
What if he had returned to heaven dis-
couraged by his reception? We are
reaping the fruits of his infinite self-
73
sacrifice; and yet when labor is to be
done, when our help is needed in the
work of the Redeemer in the salvation
of souls, we shrink from duty and pray
to be excused. Ignoble sloth, careless
indifference, and wicked selfishness
seal our senses to the claims of God.
"How does God regard our ingrati-
tude and lack of appreciation of his
blessings? When we see one slight or
misuse our gifts, our hearts and hands
are closed against him. But those who
received God's merciful gifts day after
day, and year after year, misapply his
bounties, and neglect the souls for
whom Christ has given his life. The
means which he has lent them to sus-
tain his cause and build up his king-
dom are invested in houses and lands,
lavished on pride and self-indulgence,
and the Giver is forgotten. The truth
which is designed of God to be carried
to all nations is impeded in its course,
because the money that is needed for
the work is expended on selfish grati-
fications. The gifts of heaven, if em-
ployed for the purpose for which they
were bestowed, would bring many sons
and daughters to God. But vanity and
extravagant display grasp everything
within their reach to build up and
glorify self, and many souls are lost
because of this neglect.
"By their abuse of God's gifts in this
life, many are proving themselves un-
worthy of eternal life. The powers of
the mind and the affections of the soul
are selfishly diverted from the channel
in which God would have them flow.
These persons do not appreciate the
great salvation brought within their
reach, or they would unite with Christ
in his work. Their interest is not in that
direction, but centered upon self. Their
treasure is not laid up in heaven but
on the earth, and they mind earthly
things....
"You who claim to believe the truth,
to be waiting for the appearing of our
Lord in the clouds of heaven, waiting
to be translated to the mansions Christ
has given his life to purchase, how
74
much, I ask, do you love his appear-
ing? How much do you value eternal
above temporal things?—Just as much
as your works show, and no more.
Brethren and sisters, 'the night is far
spent, the day is at hand.' I call upon
you to awake out of sleep. Let every
church arouse and put away their pride
and vanity and worldliness. Let them
humble their hearts before God by re-
pentance that they have lifted so few
burdens for Christ.
"Did we realize that we are not our
own, but are bought with a price, even
the precious blood of the Son of God,
we would work from altogether a
higher stand-point. God despises a
dead offering; he requires a living sac-
rifice, with intellect, sensibilities, and
will, fully enlisted in his service. Every
distinctive faculty should be devoted to
this work,—our feet swift to move at
the call of duty, our hands ready to
act when work is to be done, our lips
prepared to speak the truth in love, and
show forth the praise of Him who has
called us out of darkness into his mar-
velous light. We should continue this
consecration, not taking anything from
the altar; for this is sacrilege. When his
people thus consecrate themselves in
sincerity and humility, they are ac-
cepted of God; and they become to him
a sweet-smelling savor, diffusing a rich
fragrance throughout all the earth.
"To us as a people God has com-
mitted great and solemn truths, not
merely to be enjoyed by ourselves, but
to be given to others. The banner of
truth must be unfurled in every nation.
The message of warning must be
proclaimed to every tongue and people.
But this work is still far from being ac-
complished. I am pained as I see the
condition of things in Europe. Some-
thing has been accomplished, and the
angels are still holding the four winds
that a far greater work may be done;
but there is so great poverty and actual
want that the truth makes slow progress.
In how many countries has the message
as yet only found an entrance! In how
many cities is there not even one soul
that has heard the proclamation of the
Third Angel's Message! Angels of God
are moving upon minds, and preparing
the way for the reception of the truth.
From every side the Macedonian cry is
heard, 'Come over and help us.' But
the work is hindered for lack of work-
ers and for lack of means.
"The people of God are not half
awake. A stupor seems to be paralyz-
ing their sensibilities. Each of us will
soon have to stand before the Judge
of all the earth, to answer for the deeds
done in the body. All will then have to
give an account for the good they might
have done, but did not do because they
were not so closely connected with God
that they could know his will and un-
derstand his claims upon them. If the
money that has been expended an-
nually by our brethren in selfish grati-
fication had been, placed in the mis-
sion treasury, where there is now one
missionary in the field there might be
one hundred. Who will have to render
an account for this great lack of funds?
Many of our American brethren have
done nobly and willingly for the ad-
vancement of the truth in Europe, but
there is a great work yet to be done.
Many who have given liberally could
do more, and others should now come
forward and bear their share of the
burden. Now is the time when houses
and lands should be converted into mis-
sion funds. Men are to be educated
and disciplined. We feel alarmed as
we see the little that is being done,
when we have a world-wide message,
and the end of all things is at hand.
"The voice of Providence is calling
upon all who have the love of God in
their hearts to arouse to this great emer-
gency. Never was there a time when
so much was at stake as to-day. Never
was there a period in which greater
energy and self-sacrifice were de-
manded of God's commandment-keep-
ing people. If there was ever need of
economy and self-denial, it is now.
There should be no extravagance •in
dress, no useless expenditure for self-
indulgence or display. Let our means
and our labors be devoted to the cause
of God, to save souls for whom Christ
died.
"As the holidays are approaching, I
appeal to you, instead of making gifts
to your friends, to bring your offerings
to God. Let us show that we appreci-
ate the great plan of redemption. As
God has given us all Heaven in the gift
of his dear Son, let us express our
gratitude by thank-offerings to his
cause. Let the evergreen Christmas
trees yield a rich harvest for God.
"I
present before you our missions
in foreign lands as the object of your
gifts. Let us show that we value the
precious light of truth by making a
sacrifice to extend the light to those
who are in darkness. Through our self-
denial and sacrifice, lands that have
never heard the truth may hear it. They
may become vocal with the praise of
God, and from them many voices may
be lifted to swell the last note of warn-
ing. Let every church, every family,
join in this work. Let every child take
a part, bringing some offering as the
result of his own industry and self-
denial. The Saviour will accept the free-
will offerings of every one. Gifts which
are the fruit of self-denial to extend
the precious light of truth, will be as
fragrant incense before God.
"Have we been forgetful of God's
goodness in the past, we have now a
precious opportunity to redeem these
neglects. Let us upon the coming Christ-
mas and New Year's not only make an
offering to him of our means, but give
ourselves to him in willing service. To
each of us, from the oldest to the
youngest, is granted the privilege of
becoming workers together with God.
Christ is soon to come in the clouds of
heaven to reward every one according
to his works. To whom will it then be
said, 'Ye have done what ye could'?"
—Ellen G. White, "Review and Herald,"
Dec. 7, 1886.
75
LESSON 1(
December
3
-
!
FAITHFUL OR UNFAITHFUL? 10
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me." Matt. 25:40.
The parable of the judgment scene is
related to the teachings of Jesus in Mat-
thew 24 and 25 in at least three ways. (1)
The event presented in this parable is to
take place "when the Son of man shall come
in his glory, and all the holy angels with
him." Matt. 25:31. This is the same event
that Jesus taught in Matt. 24:30-33 was
pointed to by the signs. (2) In the parables
of Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus referred to a
division of people. Of those in the field
and at the mill "one shall be taken and
the other left." In the story of the faith-
ful and evil servants the first was pro-
moted, the other punished. Five of the
bridesmaids went to the wedding and five
were excluded. In the story of the talents
the faithful servants were commended and
promoted, the unfaithful servant was re-
buked, discharged, and punished. In each
case a judgment is taught but the nature of
the judgment is not revealed. This parable
explains what the judgment is about.
(3)
In the parable of the talents the division
was on the basis of faithfulness-unfaith-
fulness. In last week's lesson we noted that
this faithfulness or unfaithfulness was do-
ing or not doing the work of the kingdom
of heaven according to one's sanctified
ability; but the work of the kingdom was
not explained. In other words, the ques-
tion was never answered, "What does it
mean to be faithful?" The story of the
talents teaches the meaning of watching for
76
the advent. The story of the judgment
teaches the meaning of faithfulness while
waiting for the advent.
An article by Ellen G. White,
"Duty to the Poor, the Erring, and
the Wandering," appears on pages
83-85 of this quarterly. It was origi-
nally published in the
Review and
Herald
and is reprinted here for read-
ing in conjunction with this week's
lesson.
LESSON OUTLINE
The Scene
Matt. 25:31, 32
2.
The Sheep
Verses 33, 34
3.
The Goats
Verses 41-43
4.
Identity With Christ
Verses 40, 45
5.
The Rewards
Verses 34, 46
6.
The Parable and the Advent
Verses 31, 32
Faithful or Unfaithful?
LESSON 10
Part 1
THE SCENE
Matt. 25:31, 32
Sunday
December
3
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and
all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the
throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered
all nations: and he shall separate them one from another,
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."
The event pictured here is the second coming of Jesus. A
decision as to who is redeemed has previously been made in the
investigative judgment, but it is at His appearing that the deci-
sion is carried out. This is not the judgment at the close of the
millennium, because that is the judgment of the wicked only.
It is at the second coming that the separation of the redeemed
from the unredeemed takes place, with the redeemed accom-
panying Christ on His return to heaven and the unredeemed
remaining on this earth.
Christ is the Shepherd of the whole world—of the sheep and
the goats. The parable of the bridesmaids and the parable of
the talents dealt with two kinds of Christians. The parable of
the judgment scene represents the whole world, thus presenting
just two basic kinds of people. Therefore the rejected "Chris-
tians" in the two previous parables are shown to belong with
the goats—the world's total unredeemed population.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the significance of Christ being Shepherd of
all the nations?
"Christ would have all understand
the events of His second appearing. The
judgment scene will take place in the
presence of all the worlds; for in this
judgment the government of God will
be vindicated, and His law will stand
forth as 'holy, and just, and good.' Then
every case will be decided, and sen-
tence will be passed 'upon all. Sin will
not then appear attractive, but will be
seen in all its hideous magnitude. All
will see the relation in which they stand
to God and to one another."—Ellen G.
White Comments, "SDA Bible Commen-
tary," Vol. 7, p. 986.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," page 322; "The Desire of Ages,"
page 637.
77
Faithful or Unfaithful?
LESSON 10
Part 2
THE SHEEP
Matt. 25:33, 34
0 Monday
December 4
"And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the
goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on
his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world."
"Inherit.
To inherit is to enter into possession of property.
Man was originally appointed king of this world (Gen. 1:28),
but lost his dominion as a result of sin. Daniel looked forward
to the time when the saints would once more inherit the eternal
kingdom originally planned for them (Dan.
7:27)."—SDA Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Matt. 25:34.
D.
What was the distinguishing characteristic of the
sheep in the parable? Matt. 25:35, 36, 40.
The persons represented as sheep are loving persons. They
not only feel concern for those in need, but supply the need.
Thus love is seen to be active. It is this active concern for the
temporal and eternal welfare of the fellowman that is the char-
acteristic of the redeemed. "When the nations are gathered
before Him, there will be but two classes, and their eternal
destiny will be determined by what they have done or have
neglected to do for Him in the person of the poor and the
suffering."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 637.
OP-
What truth do you see in the following texts? John
17:3; 1
John 4:7.
Love is the root both of God's character and of His inten-
tion for the character of man. When men love God and their
fellowmen, it is evidence that He is succeeding in His work
within them by the Holy Spirit. The parable of the judgment
scene presents basically the same truth that Paul teaches in
1 Corinthians 13.
THINK IT THROUGH
The word "love" is used for many meanings. In the
best and highest sense what is love?
"God requires His people to be far
more pitiful and considerate of the un-
fortunate than they are. . . . God re-
quires that the same consideration
which should be given to the widow
and fatherless be given to the blind and
to those suffering under the affliction
of other physical infirmities. Disinter-
ested benevolence is very rare in this
professed Christian men should disre-
gard the plain, positive teachings of the
Word of God and_feeLnp compunction
of conscience` Godplaces upon them
the responsibility of caring for the un-
fortunate, the blind, the lame, the
widow, and the fatherless; but many
make no effort to regard it."—Ellen G.
White, "My Life Today," page 243.
age of the world. . . . It is strange that
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Desire of Ages," pages 638-641.
78
Part 3
THE GOATS
Matt. 25:41-43
Tuesday
December 5
For what are those on the Shepherd's left hand con-
demned?
Faithful or Unfaithful?
LESSON 10
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungered, and
ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked,
and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited
me not."
As those who have done loving deeds are accepted, so those
who have neglected to do loving deeds are rejected. The doers
are lovers, and the non-doers are self-seekers. These have fol-
lowed the principle of Lucifer, who sought his own exaltation.
Those on Christ's left hand are not accused of crimes and foul
deeds. They may or may not have been guilty of these, but
that is a secondary consideration. The basic motivating power
of their lives has been selfishness, and they are rejected in the
judgment because they have not a loving character like that -
of Christ. Their ministry has been to self and not to others.
"Only when selfishness is dead, when strife for supremacy is
banished, when gratitude fills the heart, and love makes fragrant
the life—it is only then that Christ is abiding in the soul, and
we are recognized as laborers together with
God."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 402.
"Whatever work we do, we are to do it for Christ. There
are many kinds of temporal work to be done for God. An
unbeliever would do this work mechanically, for the wages he
receives. He does not know the joy of cooperation with the
Master Worker. There is no spirituality in the work of him
who serves self. Common motives, common aspirations, com-
mon inspirations, a desire to be thought clever by men, rule in
his life. Such a one may receive praise from men, but not from
God. Those who are truly united with Christ do not work for
the wages they receive. Laborers together with God, they do
not strive to exalt
self."—Medical Ministry,
page 133.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why are the unredeemed excluded from the king-
dom?
"However short our service or hum-
ble our work, if in simple faith we
follow Christ, we shall not be disap-
pointed of the reward. That which even
the greatest and wisest cannot earn, the
weakest and most humble may receive.
Heaven's golden gate opens not to the
self-exalted. It is not lifted up to the
proud in spirit. But the everlasting por-
tals will open wide to the trembling
touch of a little child. Blessed will be
the recompense of grace to those who
have wrought for God in the simplicity
of faith and love."—"Christ's Object
Lessons," page 404.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 149-152.
79
Faithful or Unfaithful?
LESSON 10
Part 4
IDENTITY WITH
CHRIST
Matt. 25:40, 45
Wednesday
December
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily
I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'
"Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say untc
you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these,
ye did it not to me."
Christ's reference to brethren in verse 40 does not indicate
that His close identity is only with believers. "But not to any
class is Christ's love restricted. He identifies Himself with every
child of humanity. That we might become members of the
heavenly family, He became a member of the earthly family.
He is the Son of man, and thus a brother to every son and
daughter of Adam. His followers are not to feel themselves
detached from the perishing world around them. They are a
part of the great web of humanity; and Heaven looks upon
them as brothers to sinners as well as to saints. The fallen, the
erring, and the sinful, Christ's love embraces; and every deed
of kindness done to uplift a fallen soul, every act of mercy, is
accepted as done to
Him."—The Desire of Ages,
page 638.
It is this identity of Jesus with human beings that makes
justification possible to those who choose to identify themselves
with Christ.
"When this intimacy of connection and communion [faith]
is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ ; His righteousness is
imputed to us. He was made sin for us that we might be made
the righteousness of God in Him. We have access to God
through Him; we are accepted in the Beloved. Whoever by
word or deed injures a believer thereby wounds Jesus. Whoever
gives a cup of cold water to a disciple because he is a child of
God will be regarded by Christ as giving to
Him."—Testi-
monies,
Vol. 5, p. 229.
Those on Christ's left hand are lost because they have never
identified themselves with Christ. Those on the right hand are
redeemed and their concerns and Christ's concerns coincide. This
is the goal of grace.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I identify with Christ as near as possible to
the way He identifies with me?
"Every act, every deed of justice and
mercy and benevolence, makes music
in heaven. The Father from His throne
beholds and numbers the performer of
them with His most precious treasures.
'And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord
of hosts, when I make up My jewels.'
Every merciful act to the needy or the
suffering is as though done to Jesus.
Whoever succors the poor, or sympa-
thizes with the afflicted and oppressed,
and befriends the orphan, brings
himself into a more close relationship
to Jesus.
"Christ regards all acts of mercy,
benevolence, and thoughtful considera-
tion for the unfortunate, the blind, the
lame, the sick, the widow, and the
orphan, as done to Himself; and these
works are preserved in the heavenly
records, and will be rewarded."—
"Christian Service," page 268.
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly," pages 83-85.
80
Faithful or Unfaithful?
LESSON 10
Thursday
December 7
Part 5
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
THE REWARDS Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre-
Matt. 25:34, 46 pared for you from the foundation of the world." "And
these [on the left hand] shall go away into everlasting
punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
The rewards given to the "sheep and the goats" are based on
what each is. Jesus calls the sheep the "blessed of my Father"
because under God's blessing of grace they have developed
characters like the Father's. The work they do is in harmony
with the Father's work, and taey work from the same loving,
selfless motivation. They enter the kingdom because the prin-
ciples of the kingdom are within them. They belong to it.
The "goats" are pronounced cursed instead of blessed be-
cause they are in their own existence a curse. Self is their
center, and the needs of others are neglected. Having refused
God's grace, they have developed characters like those of the
devil and his angels. The work they do is in harmony with the
devil's work, and they work from the same selfish, rebellious
motivation. They are excluded from the kingdom because they
have rejected the principles of the kingdom, love for God and
man. They would be misfits in heaven and would start a new
rebellion.
None of those in either group recognize their actions as hav-
ing been done to Christ. It appears that this aspect of the
parable shows that human beings do not comprehend the close,
intimate attachment of Jesus to the people of this world.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does righteousness by faith harmonize with the
picture of actions and rewards in this parable?
"In the last great day decisions will
be made that will be a surprise to
many. Human judgment will have no
place in the decisions then made. Christ
can and will judge every case; for all
judgment has been committed to Him
by the Father. He will estimate service
by that which is invisible to me`Z.The
most secret things lie open to His all-
seeing eye. When the Judge of all men
shall make His investigation, many of
those whom human estimation has
placed first will be placed last, and
those who have been put in the lowest
place by men will be taken out of the
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 2, pp. 24, 25.
81
ranks and made first."—"Medical Min-
istry," page 133.
"Love to man is the earthward mani-
festation of the love of God. It was to
implant this love, to make us children
of one family, that the King of glory
became one with us. And when His
parting words are fulfilled, 'Love one
another, as I have loved you' (John
15:12); when we love the world as He
has loved it, then for us His mission is
accomplished. We are fitted for heaven;
for we have heaven in our hearts."—
"The Desire of Ages," page 641.
Faithful or Unfaithful?
LESSON 10
Part 6
THE PARABLE AND
THE ADVENT
Matt. 25:31, 32
Friday
December
8
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and
all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the
throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all
nations: and he shall separate them one from another,
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."
In the parable of the judgment scene Jesus gave a
preview
of what will happen at the judgment. But the judgment is a
review
of each human being's life. In this parable Jesus ties
the human actions of today to the events in connection with
the second advent. The central thrust of the parable, then, is
not only a revelation of a future event, but a portrayal of how
to live in the present in preparation for the judgment.
How shall men await Christ's appearing and the judgment?
In ministering to human need. That is the content of the work
of the Master that the parable of the talents taught was to be
done faithfully. It is an enlargement on the meaning of watch-
ing.
A review of the meanings of the three parables of Matthew
25 can be instructive. The parable of the bridesmaids teaches
the relation of the Christian, the Word, and the Spirit to readi-
ness. The parable of the talents teaches the relation of doing
the Master's work faithfully, through the Spirit, to watchful-
ness. The description of the judgment scene teaches that the
content of Christ's work was loving ministry to needy persons.
The total impact of these three parables is that the Christian
is to live his life—spiritually, vocationally, socially—in refer-
ence to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do these parables relate to the development of
a last generation?
"The character which we now mani-
fest is deciding our future destiny. The
happiness of heaven will be found by
conforming to the will of God, and if
men become members of the royal
family in heaven, it will be because
heaven has begun with them on earth.
. The righteous will take every grace,
every precious, sanctified ability, into
the courts above, and exchange earth
for heaven. God knows who are the
loyal and true subjects of His kingdom
on earth, and those who do His will
upon earth as it is done in heaven, will
be made the members of the royal
family above."—Ellen G. White, "Sons
and Daughters of God," page 361.
"The Lord is soon coming. Talk it,
pray it, believe it. Make it a part of the
life."—"Testimonies," Vol. 7, p. 237.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 6, pp. 261, 262.
82
Duty to the Poor, the Erring, and the Wandering
"'Whosoever hearth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them,
I
will liken him
unto a wise man, which built his house
upon a rock
;
and the rain descended,
and the floods came, and the winds
blew, and beat upon that house; and
it fell not; for it was founded upon a
rock. And every one that heareth these
sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man,
which built his house upon the sand;
and the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat
upon that house; and it fell; and great
was the fall of it.'
"Those who will be accounted worthy
of an entrance into the city of God, will
in character be without spot or wrinkle
or any such thing. So that He who is
the Truth, in whose mouth there was
no guile, will be able to say to them,
'Come, ye blessed of my Father, in-
herit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world,' and
will be justified in saying, 'Thou good
and faithful servant; thou host been
faithful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things; enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord.' Goodness and
faithfulness must be found combined
in the characters of those who are to
inherit eternal life. The Lord cannot
commend in this manner those who
take pride in doing injustice, in dealing
sharply with men who are related as
brethren in the church, or with unbe-
lievers. This kind of dealing is not after
God's business standard, but after the
standard of the world, and must be
repented of by those who would enter
into the kingdom of heaven.
"There are men and women whose
cold, unimpressible hearts have not kin-
dled and glowed under the bright beams
of the Sun of Righteousness. Message
after message has come to them, but
they have not heeded the warning, and
reformed their evil practices. The Lord
Jesus, who is the judge of every man,
will inquire in reference to many hard-
hearted, selfish, scheming transactions,
'Who hath required this at your hand?'
The spirit, the character, you have
manifested has not been at all after the
Pattern
I
have given you in my life
and character, when I was upon the
earth. Why have you not denied self,
lifted the cross, and followed me? Your
character is not after the divine simili-
tude, but after the similitude of the
character of the prince of evil; because
mercy and the love of God have not
been manifested. Heaven would be im-
periled if any such unholy characters
were to enter heaven; for you do not
reflect the divine attributes of good-
ness, mercy, and love.
"By beholding ypu_may become
changed into the divine image. Jesus
caTgR
,
e
-
ri
-
the parable of the lost sheep
for our study. The true Shepherd leaves
the ninety and nine, and goes into the
desert at any expense and suffering to
himself, in order that he may find the
sheep that was lost. When he finds it,
he brings it back with rejoicing. How
many of the wandering and lost sheep
have you sought for, and brought back
to the fold with a heart full of pitying
tenderness, forgiveness, and love? How
many words of encouragement have
you spoken to the wandering sheep,
that have cost you pain, anxiety, and
much inconvenience? Have you cher-
ished a spirit to upbraid, to reproach,
and to whip the poor wanderers back
to .the fold? or have you spoken sooth-
ing words of hope, courage, and par-
don, bearing the wanderer home on
your shoulders, rejoicing at every step,
and saying, 'Rejoice with me; for
I
have
found my sheep that was lost'?
"Jesus says to you, I have given to
you the parable of the prodigal son,
and how has it influenced your course
of action? Have you felt tender sym-
pathy for the erring one? As you have
seen him awakening to a sense of the
degradation that sin has brought upon
him, have you spoken to him words of
encouragement and hope? Have you
had a sense of his suffering from re-
83
morse as he saw the years that he had
lost? and have your tears fallen with
his as he wept in penitence? Did you
descry him afar off, and run forth to
meet him with pity and gladness and
love in your voice and heart, rejoicing
that the poor, sin sick soul was repent-
ing and returning to his father's house,
even as I rejoiced to welcome you to
my pardoning love?
I
went to meet you
when you were lost; I welcomed you;
I took you in my arms; I wept over you.
Have you followed my example? Have
you welcomed the prodigal to the fold?
Have you accepted his repentance, and
rejoiced over his return?
"How many manifest the spirit of the
elder brother, who looked with cold-
ness on the return of the prodigal, and
instead of giving him a welcome, re-
proached those who rejoiced over his
return as one who was undeserving
and who had cost much trouble. Look
at the two figures in the parable, and
see whether you are manifesting a
spirit similar to that of the self-righ-
teous elder brother, who was full of
envy, jealousy, evil surmising, and
hatred toward the one whom the father
received so graciously. In which class
would the Lord Jesus reckon you were
you on the ground where such a scene
was enacted? These parables have a
practical meaning that many do not
discern.
"Study the life and character of
Christ, and seek to imitate his example.
The unctiris
-
eted course of some of
those who claim to be believers in the
third angel's message, has resulted in
driving some of the poor sheep into the
desert; and .who is it that has mani-
fested a shepherd's care for the lost
and wandering? Is it not time to be
Christians in practice as well as profes-
sion? What benevolence, what compas-
sion, what tender sympathy, Jesus has
manifested toward suffering humanity!
The heart that beats in unison with his
great heart of infinite love will give
sympathy to every needy soul, and will
make it manifest that he has the mind
84
of Christ. 'A bruised reed shall he not
break, and the smoking flax shall he
not quench. Every suffering soul has a
claim upon the sympathy of others, and
those who are imbued with the love of
Christ, filled with his pity, tenderness,
and compassion, will respond to every
appeal to their sympathy. They will not
say, when an appeal is made to them
in behalf of those who
are
perishing
out of Christ, 'This does not concern
me.' They will not act the part of the
elder brother, but will manifest per-
sonal interest and sympathy. They will
follow the example of their Master, and
will go out to seek and to save that
which was lost, obeying the Saviour's
words when he said, 'Love one another
as I have loved you.' Every soul who
attempts to retrace his wanderings and
return to God, needs the help of those
who have a tender, pitying heart of
Christ-like love.
"We are not to meet misery and re-
pentance with censure, reproach, with
suspicion, distrust, and jealousy, as
the elder brother is represented as
meeting the repenting prodigal; but we
are to welcome the wanderer as he
returns to his Father's house with the
same compassion and sympathy as
Jesus manifested toward us when we
sought his pardoning love. He met lost
humanity with infinite love. He encir-
cled the perishing, wandering soul in
the arms of his mercy, and connected
sinful man with his own divine nature,
and adopted the child of humanity into
his own royal family. He presents this
example to you, and says, Go thou
and do likewise. When human agents
become doers of the words and works
of Christ, joy is created throughout the
unfallen universe, and songs of rejoic-
ing resound through all the heavenly
worlds.
"The Lord has committed his goods to
the charge of his human agents, and he
expects that they will trade upon them.
He has given to the trust of his people
the fatherless and the widow, and yet
souls have been left to perish for the
want of personal sympathy and labor.
3ut your neglect of one soul is regis-
tered in heaven as neglect of Christ.
Jesus has paid ransom for every
soul, and he has identified his interest
with that of the weakest and most err-
ing. What befalls the children of men,
touches Christ, the Redeemer of man-
kind. He reproved his own nation for
the way in which they treated their
fellow-men, and gave them to under-
stand that an abuse inflicted upon the
weakest and most sinful, was counted
as a personal abuse to himself, the
Lord of heaven. The favors shown to
the poor and wretched and sinful, were
also counted as personal favors to him-
self, to be remembered and rewarded
hereafter. Christ has not left us in dark-
ness as to what are our privilege and
duty to our fellow-men, but through
various parables and illustrations has
presented our obligation to others. He
has unfolded before us the scenes of
the last great day, when all men are to
be arraigned before his tribunal; and
the treatment given to the least of his
brethren is, according to its nature,
commended or condemned by the sen-
tence: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.' Or,
'Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the
least of them, ye did it not to me.'
"Christ is our substitute and surety;
he stands before God in the place of
humanity, and he is affected as his
weakest follower is affected. The sym-
pathy of Christ is such that he cannot
be an indifferent spectator of his chil-
dren's sufferings. The heart of him who
gave his life for humanity is touched by
the wound, however slight, that is given
to one of his followers by the spirit
revealed in the word or action of an-
other. Let us bear in mind that Christ
is the great central heart from which
the life-blood flows to every part of
the great body of humanity. He is the
head from which extend the nerves that
reach even to the most minute and
most remote parts of the body. When
one member of the .body with which
Christ is so mystically connected, suf-
fers, the throb of pain is felt by our
Saviour.
"Will the church arouse? Will her
members come into sympathy with
Christ, so that they will have his tender-
ness for all the sheep and lambs of the
fold? For their sake the Majesty of
heaven made himself of no reputation;
for them he came to a world all seared
and marred with the curse. He toiled
day and night to instruct, to elevate, to
bring to everlasting joy a thankless and
disobedient people. For their sake he
became poor, that they through his
povery might become rich. For them he
denied himself; for them he endured
privation, scorn, contempt, suffering,
and death; for them he took the form
of a servant. Christ is our pattern, shall
we copy him? Shall we not have a
care for God's heritage? Shall we not
cherish tender compassion for the err-
ing, the tempted, and the tried? . . .
"How much of this work has been
left undone. But will not the members
of our churches take hold in earnest of
these matters? God will work with
those who will give him a chance. Look
after the orphans and the widows and
the poor, and see that no wandering
one is left in the desert to perish for
the want of personal labor and sym-
pathy. Let the peace of God abide in
your hearts by faith; and be ye thank-
ful."—Ellen G. White, "Review and Her-
ald," Oct.
16, 1894.
85
LESSON 11
December
10
-
1(
-
ro
DELAY OF THE ADVENT
"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto
the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dis-
solved, and the elements shall melt with fervant heat?" 2 Peter 3:11, 12.
In this text Peter has connected the has-
tening of the advent with holy and godly
living. When we speak of delay in the
coming of Christ we are really saying that
we have not been, by the grace of God, the
kind of people we should be. There has
been delay. "It was not the will of God
that the coming of Christ should be thus
delayed."—Evangelism,
page 696. The sub-
ject of this delay should be investigated,
not to heap condemnation on the church,
but to learn from past experience how to
avoid continued delay. Our emphasis should
not be on the delay, but on hastening the
advent. Only as knowledge of the circum-
stances of the delay helps us to hasten the
advent is the delay important to us.
While the content of this lesson is on
the delay, it is meant to lead to an em-
phasis on hurrying up the coming of our
86
Lord, as much as it is in our province to
hurry it; delay is examined for the lessons
that can be derived from it.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Parables and Delay
Matt. 24:48-50
2.
Destruction Delayed
Rev. 7:1
3.
Delay in Sealing
Rev. 7:1-3
4.
Delays in Love
2 Peter 3:9
5.
The Need for Patience
Heb. 10:35-37
6.
Need for Watchfulness
Luke 12:35-37, 40
Delay of the Advent
LESSON 11
Sunday
December 10
Part 1
PARABLES AND
DELAY
Matt. 24:48-50
"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My
lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his
fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he
looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware
of."
A prominent feature of the parable of the two servants is the
delay of the householder. There is nothing said of delay in
connection with the faithful servant. He was faithfully doing
his duty and constantly watching for the return of the master.
He waited as long as the wicked servant. He was a servant, and
the date of the master's return was not his business. The wicked
servant reasoned that 'the master's staying away beyond the
time of his expected return proved that he would stay away
longer still. Delay in the past led him to assume that there
would be delay in 'the future; and that was his undoing. Past
delay speaks only of the past, not of the future.
Its- What caused the crisis in the experience of the ten
virgins? Matt. 25:5-8.
"Lingering near the bride's house are ten young women robed
in white. Each carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for
oil. All are anxiously watching for the appearance of the bride-
groom. But there is a delay. Hour after hour passes; the
watchers become weary and fall asleep. At midnight the cry is
heard, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'
The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to their feet. They see
the procession moving on, bright with 'torches and glad with
music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride. The ten maidens seize 'their lamps and begin to
trim them, in haste to go forth. But five have negleced to fill
their flasks with oil. They did not anticipate so long a delay,
and they have not prepared for the emergency. In distress they
appeal to their wiser companions saying, 'Give us of your
oil; for our lamps are going out.'
(Margin.)"—Christ's Object
Lessons,
pages 405, 406.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the
ideal reaction to delay of the advent?
"The unfaithful steward had solemn
say that Christ will not come; he does
responsibilities entrusted to him; before
not scoff at the idea of His second com-
the world he appeared as a servant of
ing; but he tells the people that His
Christ; but, oh, how deplorable for him-
coming is delayed. He is removing from
self, and for all connected with him; he
the minds of others the conviction that
is an evil servant! He is imperiling his
the Lord is coming quickly. His influence
Lord's goods. He is teaching souls to
leads men to presumptuous, careless de-
trample upon the holy law of God. He
lay."—"Testimonies to Ministers," pages
calls Christ, 'My Lord.' But he says, 'My
237, 238.
Lord delayeth His coming.' He does not
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 457-459.
87
Monday
December 11
"And after these things I saw four angels standing on
the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of
the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth,
nor on the sea, nor on any tree."
"Four angels. These angels represent divine agencies in the
world holding back the forces of evil....
"Four corners. Compare Isa. 11:12; Eze. 7:2. This signifies
that the whole earth is threatened.
"Four winds. Frequently in Scripture the 'four winds' rep-
resent the four directions of the compass (see Dan. 8:8; Mark
13:27). Here the four winds are plainly destructive forces
(see v. 3). Probably the closest parallel is to be found in Dan.
7:2, where they appear to be the forces of strife out of which
great nations arise."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Rev. 7:1.
The prophetic setting of Rev. 7:1-3 is the period before the
close of probation. The winds of destruction are ready to blow,
but heavenly agencies hold them back. The signs of the advent
are, in general, the worsening conditions of our world previous
to the end. From one point of view the holding of the winds
is a delay in the increasing intensity of the signs.
The delay pictured here is not because the forces of destruc-
tion have lost their potency, but because divine intervention
holds them in check. The world is becoming neither a better
nor a safer place, even though there may sometimes be hints
of improvement. The source of such respite is the ministry of
a loving heavenly Father, who is loath to leave the world
entirely to its own devices.
I. What is the danger in postponing _personal spiritual
preparation because of continued delay in
-
ihe destruction
of the
viorld? 1 Thess. 5:3.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do you react to delays in ordinary affairs? Do
you see any spiritual lessons in those reactions?
Delay of the Advent
LESSON 11
Part 2
DESTRUCTION
DELAYED
Rev. 7:1
"Time is very short, and all that is to
be done must be done quickly. The an-
gels are holding the four winds, and
Satan is taking advantage of everyone
who is not fully established in the truth.
Every soul is to be tested. Every defect
in the character, unless it is overcome
by the help of God's Spirit, will become
a sure means of destruction. I feel as
never before the necessity for our peo-
ple to be energized by the spirit of the
truth, for Satan's devices will ensnare
every soul who has not made God his
strength. The Lord has much work to
be done; and if we do what He has ap-
pointed for us to do, He will work with
our efforts."—"Testimonies," Vol. 5, p.
573.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol. 4, pp. 307-309.
88
Delay of the Advent
LESSON
11
Tuesday
December
12
Part 3
What reason is given for holding back the symbolic
DELAY IN winds presented in Revelation 7?
SEALING
Rev. 7:1-3
"And after these things I saw four angels standing
on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds
of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth,
nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel
ascending from the east, having the seal of the living
God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels,
to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, say-
ing, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till
we have sealed the servants of our God in their fore-
heads."
The relation in this prophecy between the holding of the
winds and the sealing work implies that evil potentially comes
to fruition before righteousness. God's people are not ready
to be sealed when the winds of destruction are ready to blow.
"The soul is to take the impression of the Spirit of God and
retain the image of Christ."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 970. The seal is "the sign of the
cross of Calvary in the Lord's adopted sons and daughters."—
Ibid.,
p. 968.
The central focus of delay is on the sealing work, and the
sealing has to do with the spiritual condition of the people of
God. It is not that we are today waiting for more last-day
events so that the advent can take place. The wait is for the
"servants of our God" to surrender themselves fully to the
Spirit, to accept fully the self-sacrificing way of life shown by
Jesus on Calvary and made possible for them by faith in Him
so that the sealing can be accomplished. It is for a spiritual
reason that the advent is delayed, and not for a political, social,
or naturalistic reason. It is when the sealing is finished that the
winds of strife are released and the last events take place.
THINK IT THROUGH
How is the seal of God related to the Sabbath?
'Christ is waiting with longing de-
Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who pro-
sire for the manifestation of Himself in
fess His name bearing fruit to His glory,
His church. When the character of Christ
how quickly the whole world would be
shall be perfectly reproduced in His sown with the seed of the gospel.
people, then He will come to claim them
Quickly the last great harvest would be
as His own.
ripened, and Christ would come to
"It is the privilege of every Christian
gather the precious grain."—"Christ's
not only to look for but to hasten the
Object Lessons," page 69.
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 66-69.
89
Delay of the Advent
LESSON 11
Wednesday
December 13
Part 4
What promise is Peter referring to in the following
DELAYS IN LOVE verse?
2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some
men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come
to repentance."
"God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish;
but His forbearance has a limit, and when the boundary is
past, there is no second probation. His wrath will go forth and
He will destroy without remedy.
"When men, being in power, oppress and spoil their fellow
men, and no earthly tribunal can be found to do justice, God
will interpose in behalf of those who cannot defend them-
selves. . . . When men put their trust in earthly powers instead
of their Maker, when they become lifted up in pride and self-
confidence, God will in His own time make them to be de-
spised."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 946.
"Any apparent delay in the Lord's coming is due to God's
unwillingness to close the door of salvation while there is hope
of any sinner's repentance."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on
2 Peter
3:9.
P- After pointing out God's forbearance, to what sure
event does Peter direct his readers? 2 Peter 3:10.
"The day of the Lord. The same as 'the day of God' (v.
12)....
"Will come. In the Greek the verb is placed in an emphatic
position. The fact that the day of the Lord will come is beyond
doubt."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on 2 Peter 3:10.
Peter assures us that while God is long-suffering for the
sinners' sake, yet the advent is certain. The apostle's thought
of God's delay in the past combined with the certainty of His
future coming is an expression of His character. In mercy He
has delayed; but because He is just, Christ will surely come.
THINK IT THROUGH
The delay in the advent results in sin continuing
longer, thus more sorrow and unhappiness than might
have been if Christ had come sooner. How do you recon-
cile this with His love? Does God suffer more too?
"The reason why the Bridegroom de-
lays is because He is longsuffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to
repentance.
0
the precious longsuffer-
ing of our merciful Saviour!
0
that each
of the dear youth would appreciate the
value of the soul that has been pur-
chased at infinite cost on Calvary!"—
Ellen G. White, "Sons and Daughters
of God," page 118.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 177-180.
90
Delay of the Advent
LESSON 11
Thursday
December 14
Part 5
What circumstances stated in Hebrews 10 required the
THE NEED FOR patience referred to in the following passage?
PATIENCE
Heb. 10:35-37
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath
great recompense of reward. For ye have need of pa-
tience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that
shall come will come, and will not tarry."
"Those who are finally victorious will have seasons of ter-
rible perplexity and trial in their religious life; but they must
not cast away their confidence, for this is a part of their disci-
pline in the school of Christ, and it is essential in order that
all dross may be purged away. The servant of God must endure
with fortitude the attacks of the enemy, his grievous taunts,
and must overcome the obstacles which Satan will place in his
way."—Messages to Young People,
page 63.
We sympathize with those who win every race except the
last one. The disappointment is extremely severe because of
previous successes. How much more tragic it is when a Christian
emerges victorious from all manner of trials, only to go down
at last in defeat and despair. Paul does not wish to see this
fate overtake his converts. He here warns them to hold fast
their confidence to the end. It is the last battle which counts.
If it is lost, all is lost.
What message to Habakkuk about the time of Judah's
captivity is appropriate also in regard to the second
advent? Hab. 2:3.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the root of the attitude of patience or im-
patience?
"It will not be long till we shall see
Him in whom our hopes of eternal life
are centered. And in His presence, all
the trials and sufferings of this life will
be as nothingness. 'Cast not away
therefore your confidence. . . . ' Look
up, look up, and let your faith contin-
ually increase. Let this faith guide you
along the narrow path that leads
through the gates of the city of God
into the great beyond, the wide, un-
bounded future of glory that is for the
redeemed."—"Testimonies," Vol. 9, pp.
287, 288.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 406-408.
91
Delay of the Advent
LESSON 11
Friday
December 15
Part 6
"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burn-
NEED FOR ing; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their
WATCHFULNESS lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when
Luke 12:35-37, 40 he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him im-
mediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord
when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto
you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit
down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." "Be
ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at
an hour when ye think not."
The message of the signs is that the end has been near for
more than one hundred years. We are living in an emergency
period of delay while Christ waits in mercy for His people to
prepare, by His grace, for His return. How soon these condi-
tions will be met only God Himself knows. Our only safety is
in watching and being ready to meet our Lord at any time.
"Our Lord had been warning His disciples against allowing
their minds to be absorbed in the selfish acquisition of wealth,
and against being anxious about needed food and clothing;
they were to be supremely concerned about His Kingdom
which would appear in glory at the time of His return. . . .
If His coming was occupying their thoughts they would be
kept at once from worldliness and from worry, and would
be diligent in serving Him."—Erdman,
The Gospel of Luke,
page 127.
How will each type of servant be treated when the
Master returns? Matt. 24:47, 50.
"There can be no question about the 'eschatological motiva-
tion': Christians must be faithful to their duty because they
`know neither the day nor the hour' .
. when Christ will
come. . . . This theme of the absentee landlord or master is
recurrent in the gospel accounts of Jesus' teaching .
. and
always is subject •to this same eschatological interpretation. We
must be faithful because the Day of Judgment is imminent."
—The Interpreter's Bible,
Vol. 8, p. 232.
THINK IT THROUGH
The faithful servant gave meat "in due season" while
waiting for his employer. What does this mean?
"The very best credentials we can
of the soul is not trimmed and burn-
carry is love for one another. All strife,
ing."—Ellen
G. White Comments," "SDA
all dissension, is to cease. God will not
Bible Commentary," Vol. 5, pp. 1099,
accept the talents of the smartest, the
1100.
most eloquent man if the inner lamp
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 490, 491.
92
LESSON 12
December 17-23
THE CHURCH AWAITING THE ADVENT
12
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faith-
ful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
good works." Heb. 10:23, 24.
In some previous lessons, study has been
given to outstanding signs of Christ's im-
minent return. Abundant evidence has been
provided to show that the great Bible
prophecies concerning the last days of this
world's history are now meeting their ful-
fillment. But recognition of the promised
signs is of little value unless such knowl-
edge leads to appropriate action. Only as
these divine warnings are heeded can they
prove a blessing to the church. It is possible
for Christians to become so familiar with
the omens of the advent that their urgent
challenge will be muted. Even ministers,
regarding these omens as too well worn for
sermon material, may cease to preach about
them. Beyond question, the most vital need
of the remnant church today is to be
moved by the message it was called into ex-
istence to proclaim. By a fresh infiling of
the Holy Spirit it must sense anew the
mighty meaning of the signs of the times
and be led thereby to full repentance of sin
and total dedication to God.
LESSON OUTLINE
1. The Peril of the Church
Luke 21:34, 35
2. Condition of the Church
Matt. 25:5
3. Call for an Awakening
Isa. 51:9; 52:1
4. Call to Work
Eph. 2:8-10
5. God's Call to Holiness
1 John 3:2, 3
6. Growing in Grace
2 Peter 3:18
93
The Church Awaiting the Advent
LESSON 12
Part 1
THE PERIL
OF THE CHURCH
Luke 21:34, 35
Sunday
December 17
law What threatens to engross the attention of believers
awaiting the advent?
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your
hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness,
and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that
dwell on the face of the whole earth."
"I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming assimi-
lated to the world rather than to the image of Christ. We are
now upon the very borders of the eternal—wrtfl
it is the
purpose of the adversary of souls to lead us to . . . lead as
many as possible 'to put off the evil day and become in spirit
like the world, imitating its
customs."—Testimonies,
Vol. 4,
p. 306.
Co- What prevented the people of Noah's time from know-
ing what could be known of the approach of the Flood?
Matt. 24:38, 39.
"In view of such glorious prophecies the heart of the Chris-
tian is ever to be set upon the gracious realities relating to the
coming of the Master. The followers of Christ must be on their
guard lest they be overcome by the influences which Jesus de-
scribed as characterizing the days immediately preceding His
return. There will be temptation to self-indulgence and indiffer-
ence and absorption in worldly cares. Believers are warned to
be on their watch lest the coming of Christ overtake them
unexpectedly, as indeed it will come upon others."—Erdman,
The Gospel of Luke,
page 196.
THINK IT THROUGH
What special temptations come to today's Christian
that would ensnare him with "the cares of this life"?
"The crisis is stealing gradually ing, and every case is about to be
upon us. The sun shines in the heavens,
eternally decided. Satan sees that his
passing over its usual round, and the
time is short. He has set all his agencies
heavens still declare the glory of God.
at work that men may be deceived,
Men are still eating and drinking, plant-
deluded, occupied and entranced, until
ing and building, marrying, and giving
the day of probation shall be ended,
in marriage. Merchants are still buying
and the door of mercy be forever shut.
and selling. Men are jostling one
"Solemnly there come to us down
against another, contending for the through the centuries the warning
highest place. Pleasure lovers are still
words of our Lord from the Mount of
crowding to theaters, horse races, gam-
Olives: 'Take heed to yourselves.'"—
bling hells. The highest excitement pre-
"The Desire of Ages," page 636.
vails, yet probation's hour is fast clos-
FOR
FURTHER
STUDY: "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 101, 102.
94
the Church Awaiting the Advent
LESSON 12
Monday
December 18
Part 2
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and
CONDITION OF slept."
THE CHURCH
Matt. 25:5
"Tarried. Gr. . . .
'to delay,' to linger.' The parable was
a warning to those who 'thought that the kingdom of God
should immediately appear' (Luke 19:11 . . .). Jesus would
not return as they had anticipated. But to have told the dis-
ciples of this in a clear and specific way would have discour-
aged them....
"Christians today would do well to remember that the
heavenly Bridegroom's delay is not due to any lack of prepared-
ness on His part. He could have come long ago had His people
been ready to welcome Him, and had they been faithful in
completing their appointed task of preparing the world for His
coming... ,
"Slumbered and
slept. That is, they became drowsy and
went to sleep."—SD.4
Bible Commentary,
on Matt. 25:5.
Is Why is it more important to keep awake now than
ever before? Rom. 13:11, 12.
"The coming of the Lord is nearer than when we first be-
lieved. The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report
of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the
end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare
it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quick-
ened action as he anticipates the great events opening before
us?"—Evangelism,
page 219.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the real meaning in the idea of being spir-
itually asleep or awake?
ing and the song of praise. Now the
day of God is nearer than when we
first believed, and we should be more
earnest, more zealous, and fervent than
in those early days. Our perils are
greater now than then. Souls are more
hardened. We need now to be im-
bued with the spirit of Christ, and we
should not rest until we receive it"—
"Testimonies," Vol.
5,
pp. 161, 162.
"We must be much in prayer if we
would make progi
--7
eTi
in the divine
life_
. When the message Of
tiuth was
first proclaimed, how much we prayed.
How often was the voice of intercession
heard in the chamber, in the barn, in
the orchard, or the grove. Frequently
we spent hours in earnest prayer, two
or three together claiming the prom-
ise; often the sound of weeping was
heard and then the voice of thanksgiv-
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Testimonies," Vol. 6, pp. 20-22.
95
Part 3
CALL FOR AN
AWAKENING
Isa. 51:9; 52:1
THINK IT THROUGH
Tuesda)
December lt
"Awake, awake, put on strength, 0 arm of the Lord
,
awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old
.
Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the
dragon?"
"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, 0 Zion; put on
thy
beautiful garments, 0 Jerusalem, the holy city: for
henceforth there shall no more come into thee the un-
circumcised and the unclean."
The call to awake is twice repeated. In the first instance, the
prophet appealed to God to awake and come to the aid of His
chosen ones. Had He not done wonderful things for them? The
Red Sea had been opened up, and food had been given from
heaven for forty years. All through their history the Israelites
had been preserved from a thousand dangers because of the
active intervention of 'the God of heaven. As dangers threat-
ened His people, an appeal was made for God to come to their
rescue once again and save them from the plots of their enemies
to overthrow them.
Then the Lord called for His people to awake. It was not
God who was slumbering, but the people who needed to arouse.
They had a work to do in preparation for God's action. Thus
also, in awaiting the advent, believers must prepare by receiv-
ing the "beautiful garments" of Christ's righteousness.
Its
How deep is the sleep of those in darkness? Eph.
5:14.
"He [Satan] cannot hold in spiritual death one soul who in
faith receives Christ's word of power. God is saying to all who
are dead in sin, 'Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the
dead.' Eph. 5:14. That word is eternal life. As the word of
God which bade 'the first man live, still gives us life; as Christ's
word, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise,' gave life to the
youth of Nain, so that word, 'Arise from the dead,' is life to
the soul that receives it. It is all offered us in His word. If we
receive the word, we have the deliverance."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 320.
What is the means by which a person is awakened to
watch for the advent?
The Church Awaiting the Advent
LESSON 12
"Clad in the armor of Christ's righ-
teousness, the church is to enter upon
her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon,
clear as the sun, and terrible as an
army with banners' (Song of Solomon
6:10), she is to go forth into all the
world, conquering and to conquer.
"The darkest hour of the church's
struggle with the powers of evil is that
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Testimonies," Vol.
96
which immediately precedes the day
of her final deliverence. But none who
trust in God need fear; for 'when the
blast of the terrible ones is as a storm
.
against the wall,' God will be to His
church 'a refuge from the storm.' Isaiah
25:4."—"Prophets and Kings," page
725.
9, pp. 11-17.
The Church Awaiting the Advent
LESSON 12
Part 4
CALL TO WORK
Eph. 2:8-10
THINK IT THROUGH
0 Wednesday
December
20
What purpose does Paul say is served by salvation
through faith?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest
any man should boast. For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them."
"The salvation of the lost was the object of Christ's mission
to earth, and he died to redeem sinners of every race and every
clime. We are to be laborers together with him; for as long as
there are sinners to be saved, so long are the followers of Christ
to deny self, to work intelligently, to go forth into the high-
ways and by-ways, showing forth the praises of Him who bath
called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. Christ
calls upon all who have discerned the merits of his sacrifice and
character, to make known the wonders of redeeming love to
those who know him not. He would have us bear with others
as he has borne with us in our perversity, in our backslidings;
for he hath not cast us off in our waywardness, but has forgiven
our transgression, and clothed us with the robe of his righteous-
ness, drawing us to himself by the cords of his -love."—Ellen
G. White,
Review and Herald,
May 24, 1892.
Ito- Read Matt. 28:19 and Rev. 14:6. What is the differ-
ence in the setting of these two texts? How do they
resemble each other in meaning?
"The people in the world need to know that the signs of the
times are fulfilling. Take to them the books that will enlighten
them....
"Those who have been long in the truth are asleep. They
need to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. The third angel's mes-
sage is to be proclaimed with a loud voice. . . . We have no
time to
lose."—Colporteta Ministry,
page 120.
What is the special significance of witnessing for
Christ in the time of the signs?
"The truth is of no value to any soul
unless it is brought into the inner sanc-
tuary, and sanctifies the soul. Piety will
degenerate, and religion become a
shallow sentimentalism, unless the
plowshare of truth is made to go deep
into the fallow ground of the heart.
When the truth is received, it will work
radical changes in life and character;
for religion means the abiding.
of Christ
in_the _heart, and whe
-
Fe
-
he is, the soul
goes on in spiritual activity, ever grow-
ing in grace, every going on to perfec-
tion. All through our churches there are
ih
-
6
-
i
-
e—who are spiritually paralyzed.
They do not manifest spiritual life."—
Ellen G. White, "Review and Herald,"
May 24, 1892.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Selected Messages,' ' Bk. 2, pp. 154-157.
97
The Church Awaiting the Advent
LESSON 12
Part 5
GOD'S CALL
TO HOLINESS
1 John 3:2, 3
Thursday
December 21
ID- What is to be accomplished in one who hopes for the
advent?
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it cloth
not
yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when
he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see
him as he is. And every
man that hath
this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
"We are not to settle down, expecting that a change of char-
acter will come to us by some miraculous work, when Jesus
shall appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory. No, my young friends, we are judgment-bound, and
probation is granted to us here in this life, in order that we
may form characters for the future, immortal life."—Ellen G.
White,
Sons and Daughters of God,
page 9.
Ow How much can human effort accomplish without divine
aid? John 15:5.
The Christian must not take either of two dangerous theories.
One says, "Jesus paid it all. There is nothing for me to do. He
has fought the battle and won the victory; so all I need to do
is say I believe in Him. Jesus wants me in the kingdom. If He
wants me there, I will be there regardless of what I do." The
other says, "It all depends on me. I must fight the good fight
of faith. I must keep the commandments. Jesus wants me in
the kingdom, but He expects me to work for it."
Both of these are extreme positions and must be rejected. It
is only when divine power is united with human effort that the
victory can be gained. "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me," wrote the apostle Paul.
THINK IT THROUGH
How is actual cooperation between man and Christ
possible?
"Let no man present the idea that
man has little or nothing to do in the
great work of overcoming; for God
does nothing for man without his co-
operation. Neither say that after you
have done all you can on your part,
Jesus will help you. Christ has said,
'Without me ye can do nothing' (John
15:5).
From first to last man is to be a
laborer together with God. Unless the
Holy Spirit works upon the human
heart, at every step we shall stumble
and fall. Man's efforts alone are noth-
ing but worthlessness; but cooperation
with Christ means a victory. Of our-
selves we have no power to repent of
sin. Unless we accept divine aid we
cann
-
61
-
161Ze the first step toward the
Saviour. He says, 'I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end'
(Rev. 21:6) in the salvation of every
soul."—"Selected Messages,"
Bk.
1, p.
381.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Steps to Christ," chapter, "The Test of Discipleship."
98
The Church Awaiting the Advent
LESSON 12
Friday
December 22
Part 6
What is the relationship between growing in grace
GROWING IN and growing in the knowledge of the Lord?
GRACE
2 Peter 3:18
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ."
"There is no Bible sanctification for those who cast a part of
the truth behind them....
"Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a
day. It is a continual growth in grace. We know not one day
how strong will be our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is
active, and every day we need to earnestly cry to God for help
and strength to resist him.. ..
"How is it possible that we may grow in grace? It is possible
to us only as we empty our hearts of self, and present them
to Heaven, to be molded after the divine Pattern. We may have
a connection with the living channel of light; we may be re-
freshed with the heavenly dew, and have the showers of Heaven
descend upon us. As we appropriate the blessing of God, we
shall be able to receive greater measures of His grace. As we
learn to endure as seeing Him who is invisible, we shall become
changed into the image of Christ. The grace of Christ will not
make us proud, cause us to be lifted up in self, but we shall
become meek and lowly in heart."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 947.
Co-
What will be seen in the life of one who receives the
Spirit? Gal. 5:22, 23.
THINK IT THROUGH
What actual life experience is referred to by the phrase
"growing in grace"?
"Growth
is characteristic of the true
child of God as it is of all living things,
inasmuch as he has found a new life
in
Christ Jesus. . . . His goal is a char-
acter that resembles the perfect char-
acter of his lord, and a mind that is
able to think His thoughts after Him.
He aspires to 'grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ.'
. . . In this life, and thereafter in the
life to come, the Christian can look for-
ward to endless growth in character
and in understanding the will and ways
of God. There will ever be new worlds
of mind and spirit for him to conquer,
new heights to climb, new doors of
adventure and opportunity to open."
—"SDA Bible Commentary," on 2 Peter
3:18.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 722-725.
99
LESSON 13
December 24-30
BEYOND THE ADVENT
13
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
"Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the
shadows and turmoil of earthly activities;
but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring
deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold
the blessed hereafter as pictured by the
hand of God. He who died for the sins of
the world is opening wide the gates of
Paradise •to all who believe on Him. Soon
the battle will have been fought, the vic-
tory won. Soon we shall see Him in whom
our hopes of eternal life are centered. . . .
"Look up, look up, and let your faith
continually increase. Let this faith guide
you along the narrow path that leads
through the gates of the city into the great
beyond, the wide, unbounded future of
glory that is for the redeemed. . . .
"The nations of the saved will know no
other law than the law of heaven. All will
be a happy, united family, clothed with
the garments of praise and thanksgiving.
Over the scene the morning stars will sing
together, and the sons of God will shout
100
for joy, while God and Christ will unite
in proclaiming, 'There shall be no more sin,
neither shall there be any more death.'"
—Prophets and Kings,
pages 731-733.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
God's Original Purpose
Isa. 45:18; 43:7
2.
A New World Promised
Dan. 7:18; Matt. 5:5
3.
Beyond Human Imagination
1Cor. 2:9; 2 Cor. 4:17, 18
4.
A New Creation
Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:1
5.
Situation of the Redeemed
Isa. 65:21-23
6.
Fulfillment of the Covenant
Rev. 21:3
Beyond the Advent
LESSON 13
Sunday
December 24
Part 1
Why did God create earth and its inhabitants?
GOD'S ORIGINAL
PURPOSE
Isa. 45:18; 43:7
"For thus saith the Lore that created the heavens; God
himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath estab-
lished it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be
inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else."
"Even every one that is called by my name: for I have
created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have
made him."
"God created man for His own glory, that after test and
trial the human family might become one with the heavenly
family. It was God's purpose to re-populate heaven with the
human family, if they would show themselves obedient to His
every word. Adam was to be tested, to see whether he would
be obedient. . . . If he stood the test, his instruction to his
children would have been only of loyalty. His mind and
thoughts would have been as the mind and thoughts of God.
He would have been taught by God as His husbandry and
building. His character would have been moulded in accordance
with the character of God."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary, Vol.
1, p. 1082.
"The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed
by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty
foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption.
All that was lost by sin has been restored.. ... God's original
purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made
the eternal abode of the redeemed. 'The righteous shall inherit
the land, and dwell therein forever.'
"—The Great Controversy,
page 674.
What kind of person was man to be? Gen. 1:26.
God is love, and love is the basis of creation.
Education,
page 16. Love without persons to love is meaningless. So God
created man in His image that there might be a mutual ex-
perience of love. A careful analysis of Genesis 1 as to God's
acts can lead to a fuller understanding of the expression "the
image of God."
THINK IT THROUGH
What does it mean to live to the glory of God?
"To be inhabited....
The earth was
not created 'in vain.' . . . It was de-
signed to be the home of man. Regard-
less of what may be the purpose of the
enemy and what ruin he may accom-
plish by sin, God's original plan will at
length be carried out. Creation was a
purposeful act, not merely an end in it-
self. Sin has postponed the realization
of that purpose, but though postponed
for a time it will ultimately be
achieved. God's infinite purposes know
no haste and no delay."—"SDA Bible
Commentary," on Isa. 45:18.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Adventist Home," page 540; "The Great Controversy,"
pages 436, 437, 674.
101
Beyond the Advent
LESSON 13
Monday
December 25
Part
2 la-
What two designations are used to indicate those who
A NEW WORLD will possess God's kingdom?
PROMISED
Dan. 7:18; Matt. 5:5
"But the saints of the most High shall take the king-
dom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever
and ever."
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
"The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back
the world into God's favor.-All that was lost by sin is restored.
Not only man but the earth is redeenTed, to be the eternal
abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has strug-
gled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God's original
purpose in its creation is accomplished. 'The saints of the Most
High shall take the
kingdom.'"—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 342.
Today the meek do not have much of the earth. They are
thrust aside by the strong, the vicious, the ruthless elements
abroad in our world. But that arrangement will come to an
end. It has been sneeringly said, "It is a good thing that the
meek are going to inherit it. They would never get it in any
other way." Yes, thank God, it is to be by inheritance. Christ
the mighty Conqueror is going to take it from the hands of the
strong and give it to the meek.
.- What assurance is given the children of God? Luke
12:32.
Children sometimes get the idea that God is standing at the
heavenly gate watching to see that only the perfect enter, look-
ing for every possible excuse for rejecting them. What a travesty
on the character of God! Jesus assured His followers that it
was the Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. There
was no possibility of their earning it, but it would be a free
gift. Very literally they would someday inherit the new earth.
THINK IT THROUGH
What does it mean to be meek?
"The meek 'shall inherit the earth.' It
was through the desire for self-exalta-
tion that sin entered into the world, and
our first parents lost the dominion over
this fair earth, their kingdom. It is
through self-abnegation that Christ re-
deems what was lost. And He says we
are to overcome as He did. Revelation
3:21. Through humility and self-sur-
render we may become heirs with Him
when 'the meek shall inherit the earth.'
Psalm 37:11."—"Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing," page 17.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 13-18.
102
Part 3
BEYOND HUMAN
IMAGINATION
1 Cor. 2:9;
2 Cor. 4:17, 18
THINK IT THROUGH
111 Tuesday
December 26
IP.
Why do we have difficulty in understanding God's
future heavenly plans for us?
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him."
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen: for the things which
are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen
are eternal."
"Paul had a view of heaven, and in discoursing on the glories
there, the very best thing he could do was to not try to describe
them. He tells us that eye had not seen nor ear heard, neither
hath it entered into the heart of man the things which God
hath prepared for those that love Him. So you may put your ,
imagination to the stretch, you may try to the very best of
your abilities to take in and consider the eternal weight of glory,
and yet your finite senses, faint and weary with the effort, can-
not grasp it, for ,there is an infinity beyond. It takes all of
eternity to unfold the glories and bring out the precious trea-
sures of the Word of God."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6, p. 1107.
"God intends that, even in this life, truth shall be ever
unfolding to His people. There is only one way in which this
knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding
of God's word only through the illumination of that Spirit by
which the word was given. 'The things of God knoweth no
man, but the Spirit of God;' for the Spirit searcheth all things,
yea, the deep things of God.' And the Saviour's promise to His
followers was: 'When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will
guide you into all truth. . . . For He shall receive of Mine, and
shall show it unto you.'
"—Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 703.
Isn't it selfish to seek rewards? How do you reconcile
the idea of rewards for the faithful with the unselfish
nature of the Christian life?
Beyond the Advent
LESSON 13
apply it to divine things. We lose much
by not talking more of Jesus and of
heaven, the saints' inheritance. The
more we contemplate heavenly things,
the more new deliihTi we
sh
all see,
and the more will our hearts be brimful
of thanks to our beneficent Creator."
—Ellen G. White Comments, "SDA Bible
Commentary," Vol. 6, p. 1085.
"Oh, how much we lose by not edu-
cating the imagination to dwell upon
divine things, rather than upon the
earthly! We may give fullest scope to
the imagination, and yet, 'eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither have en-
tered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that
love him.' Fresh wonders will be re-
vealed to the mind the more closely we
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 674, 675.
103
Beyond the Advent
LESSON 13
Wednesday
December 27
Part 4
What will be the extent of God's new creation?
A NEW CREATION
Isa. 65:17;
Rev. 21:1
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:
and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into
mind."
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the
first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and
there was no more sea."
"'I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away.' Revelation 21:1. The
fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace
of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep
before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin.
"One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear
the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon
His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel
work that sin has wrought."—The
Great Controversy,
page
674.
I> What are some of the features which will distinguish
the future new earth from the present evil one? Rev.
21:3,4.
"Even today we can rejoice in the thought of the joys and
glories of the world to come. The pictures of a new and better
world give strength and courage as we meet the trials of the
present. Disappointments and discouragements will be met
with better grace if our hearts are set on the abounding joys
of the new earth, which is soon to become our home."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 65:18.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why must there be a new world? Would not a new
civilization be adequate?
"Here they stand, and the finishing
touch of immortality is put upon them,
and they go up to meet their Lord in
the air. The gates of the city of God
swing back upon their hinges, and the
nations that have kept the truth enter
in. There are the columns of angels on
either side, and the ransomed of God
walk in through the cherubims and
seraphims. Christ bids them welcome
and puts upon them His benediction....
"Oh, what music! There is not an
inharmonious note. Every voice pro-
claims, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain.' He sees of the travail of His soul,
and is satisfied. Do you think anyone
there will take time to tell of his trials
and terrible difficulties? 'The former
shall not be remembered, nor come into
mind.! "—Ellen G. White Comments,
"SDA Bible Commentary," Vol. 6, p.
1093.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "Early Writings," pages 16-20.
104
Beyond the Advent
LESSON 13
Thursday
December
28
Part 5
What promises to Judah will be fulfilled in the new
SITUATION OF earth?
THE REDEEMED
Isa. 65:21-23
"And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and
they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They
shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant,
and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days
of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work
of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring
forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of
the Lord, and their offspring with them."
"Through premature death, invasion, and deportation the
Israelites had lost their homes, their fields, and vineyards. Set-
tlement in the restored state was no more to be interrupted by
these. In the new heavens and new earth now soon to be
established, occupancy will not be interrupted even by death.
Life in the new earth will to a large degree be similar to the
life that man lived in Paradise before the entrance of sin."—
SDA Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 65:21.
"A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material
has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead
us to look upon it as our home. . . . Human language is inade-
quate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be
known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can com-
prehend the glory of the Paradise of God."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
pages 674, 675.
"There the student of science may read the records of crea-
tion and discern no reminders of the law of evil. He may listen
to the music of nature's voices and detect no note of wailing
or undertone of sorrow. In all created things he may trace one
handwriting—in the vast universe behold 'God's name writ
large,' and not in earth or sea or sky one sign of ill remaining.
"There the Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and
field."—Education,
page 303.
What features were promised to Israel in the restored
earth? Isa. 65:25; 35:5, 6.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the
basic difference between the activities of
the Christian in the present world and his activities in
the new earth?
"All the treasures of the universe will
the spectacle of human woe and rang
be open to the study of God's re-
with songs of gladness at the tidings of
deemed. Unfettered by mortality, they a ransomed soul."—"The Great Contro-
wing their tireless flight to worlds afar
versy," page 677.
—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at
FOR
FURTHER STUDY:
"Prophets and Kings," pages 729-733.
105
Beyond the Advent
LESSON 13
Friday
December 29
Part 6 Co- In the New Jerusalem what is to be the relationship
FULFILLMENT of God and the redeemed?
OF THE COVENANT
Rev. 21:3
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will
dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself shall be with them, and be their God."
.- How close is this new relationship between God and
man? Rev. 22:4.
10- In what context was the idea of this God-people rela-
tion presented in the Old Testament? Deut. 29:12, 13.
(See also Gen. 17:7 and Lev. 26:12.)
There will not be merely a theoretical or abstract relation
between God and His people, but God will be visible to them,
and they will have consented to the principles of His character.
"All who enter will have on the robe Christ's righteousness,
and the name of God will be seen in their foreheads. This name
is the symbol which the apostle saw in vision, and signifies the
yielding of the mind to intelligent and loyal obedience to all
of God's commandments."—Ellen G. White,
Sons and Daugh-
ters of God,
page 370.
The whole purpose of the covenant that God initiated
through Abraham was that he and his descendants should be
God's people, and God should be their God. This is the cove-
nant in its simplest terms. Thus when in Rev. 21:3 we find
this same idea we conclude that the New Jerusalem, peopled
by the saints, is the fulfillment of the covenant. This covenant
includes all the work of Jesus Christ, and Rev. 21:3 thus pro-
claims the final success of the plan of redemption. God and
His people are at last united and belong to each other in the
way He intended at creation.
THINK IT THROUGH
What determines if I am one of God's people?
"The people of God are privileged to
hold open communion with the Father
and the Son. 'Now we see through a
glass, darkly.' 1 Corinthians 13:12. We
behold the image of God reflected, as
in a mirror, in the works of nature and
in His dealings with men; but then we
shall see Him face to face, without a
dimming veil between. We shall stand
in His presence and behold the glory
of His countenance."—"The Great Con-
troversy," pages 676, 677.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: "The Great Controversy," pages 676-678.
106
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EURO-AFRICA DIVISION
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
INDIAN
OCEAN
MALAGASY SDA HOSPITAL
ANDAPA
Potions
AngoN
5496,000
37
21,059
36,808
Austrian
7571030
45
2,601
3375
Bulgarian Church
8,436000
70
1,803
2,940
Czechoslovakian
14,418,000
127
7.164
10,200
Equatorial African
12.359,000
62
13,539
22,449
Franco-Belgian
60,336,000
116
5441
5583
Hungarian
10295,000
153
5,803
6,138
Indian Ocean
5164,000
112
7,799
11,677
Mozambique
7,376,000
44
11,040
15,764
Romanian
20,010.000
512
40,864
52,857
South German
29.868,200
232
13,072
15,383
Southern EuroPaan
111,818,000
148
10,871
10,825
Swiss
6.251.000
57
3.909
3,348
Union of SDA in DDR
17,079500
336
12,105
13,745
Yiest German
19.419,696
191
11,500
13,619
Yugoslavian
20,351000
273
10,278
10,010
North African Mission
33,199,000
6
93
16
°Senegal Mission
17.600,000
2
81
138
° West Berlin Conference
2.122515
55
1481
1.637
TOTALS
421,970511
2538
182,500
236,812
Moues as of September 19711
°Detached Fields
MISSION STATION AND SCHOOL
-
Cuanharna tribe SOUTH ANGOL A'